A CHILDJ HISTORY • 

or 

NORTH CARuLiNA 




Class 




Book 



Copyright N". 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 






^"^*'v 0< 










A 

CHILD'S HISTORY 
OF NORTH CAROLINA 

A Text-Book for North Carolina Schools 



By WILLIAM C. ALLEN 

Author of *' North Carolina History Stories,** " Carolina Whigs 
and Tories," " Centennial History of Haywood County,'* 



"Carolina, Carolina, Heaven's Blessings Attend Her." 




AUTHORS CO-OPERATIVE PUB. CO. 
125 Church Street New York City 



Copytight, m6 

BY 

William c. allejsi^ 

All Ri&Ms Reserved 



/'■•r-C 



m -2 1916 



©CI.A43a3(i3 



TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA, 
INTERESTED, APPRECIATIVE, 

RESPONSIVE, ENTRUSIASTIC, 
IN ALL THAT PERTAINS TO THE 

WELFARE OF THE STATE 

THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY 

DEDICATED. 



PREFACE 

In this volume I have endeavored to give the 
leading facts in the history of North Carolina, a 
task, which has occupied much of my spare time 
for the last ten years. Among the abundance of 
material, so well prepared by patriotic North Car- 
olinians, it has been difficult to select that which 
has been most suitable for a book intended for use 
in the public schools. The most reliable sources 
have been assiduously consulted, and it is believed 
that the story of the making of North Carolina 
herein presented is entirely trustworthy. 

Constant use, in making comparisons, has been 
made of the "old masters" in North Carolina his- 
tory. The pages of Francis X. Martin, Francis 
L. Hawks, E. W. Caruthers, and Joseph H. 
Wheeler, who wrote so entertainingly of the 
Colonial history of the State, of John W. Moore, 
who rescued much of our history from oblivion, 
and of the monumental tasks of Romulus M. Saun- 
ders and Judge Walter Clark, known as the Colo- 
nial and State Records, have contributed many 
hours of pleasure and profit in the preparation of 
this volume now being sent upon its mission. Much 
time has been spent in comparing these authorities 
on disputed points with the hope that the exact 
truth might be obtained. It is believed that an 



Preface 

impartial and conservative view has been taken. 
No incident or story has been inserted about 
v^hich there is a doubt. The greatest pains have 
been taken to make the work as nearly accurate 
as possible. 

Thanks are due Dr. Kempt P. Battle, the vet- 
eran ex-president of the State University, who 
kindly read my manuscript and made many val- 
uable criticisms an-d suggestions. I am also in- 
debted eo Colonel A. M. VVaddellv of Wilmington, 
who gave me material assistance in the chapter on 
the Wilmington Revolution. Without the aid of 
these gentlemen I should have been seriously de- 
layed in the preparation of the work. 

Of all emotions that stir the human soul, l^ve 
of country is one of the noblest. A proper State 
pride is also an emotion that fires youth and stim- 
ulates honest endeavor. If this book, unpreten- 
tious and imperfect, shdl help to promote these 
two virtues in the lives of the liwyys and girls of 
the "Old North. State," the author wiW be fully 
repaid for his expenditure of toil and patience in 
its preparation. 

Waynesville, N. C. 

March 1, 1916. 



TABLE OF. CONTENTS 

Chapter Page 

Introduction - - -• 17 

Attempted Settlements, 1584-1590 

1. Discovery ^ — — » ~.- - -- — — • 25 

2. The First Colony • 32 

3. The Lost Colony -... ^^,- - - 38 

Proprietary Government, 1663-1729 

4. The First Permanent Settlement 47 

5. The Lords Proprietors and the Funda- 

mental Constitutions — 53 

6. Troubles in the Albemarle Colony 60 

7. Five Years of Misrule _ „.^ —. 66 

8. Revolt of the Quakers ~- - 70 

9. The Governors and the People „ „ 7(y 

10. The Tuscarora War — 82 

11. End of the Indian War _ 87 

12. Recovery from the Indian War 93 

13. The Pirate Blackbeard and Others 99 

14. End of the Proprietary Rule „ ™ „... 104 

Period of Expansion and Growth, 1730-1775 

15. Ten Years of Progress 113 

16. The Growing Province 118 

17. Calm Before the Stcrm 124 



Contents. 

Chapter Page 

18. The Stamp Act 128 

19. Rise of the Regulators 134 

20. Battle of Alamance 138 

21. Movement Toward Independence 144 

22. End of Royal Rule 148 

23. Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence 153 

24. The Province Becomes a State 159 

25. Life in the Colony 164 

Independence and Nationality, 1775-1789 

26. Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge 173 

27. Year of Indepence 179 

28. Partisan Warfare in the Northv^est 184 

29. Four Uneventful Years 189 

30. Battle of Ramseur's Mill 194 

31. The Hornets' Nest 199 

32. Battle of Kings Mountain 204 

33. Third Attempt to Conquer North Carolina 210 

34. Greene's Retreat to the Dan 215 

35. Pyle's Hacking Match 22C 

36. Battle of Guilford Courthouse 225 

37. Cornwallis Retires to Virginia 231 

38. Partisan Conflicts 236 

39. Battle of Elizabethton 241 

40. Close of the Revolution 245 

41. The Calm After the Storm 25C 

42. The State of Franklin 254 

43. North Carolina Joins the Union 259 



Contents. 

Chapter Page 

Union and Disunion, 1789-1865 

44. Building the Capital City 267 

45. The Spirit of Development 272 

46. The War of 1812 ^ 276 

47. N. Carolina Seamen in the War of 1812 280 

48. Sectional Differences 286 

49. The Constitution of 1835 291 

50. The Cherokee Indians and Their Reserva- 

tion 296 

51. The Public Schools and Industrial Devel- 

opment 30C 

52. War v^ith Mexico 304 

53. Progress of Public Institutions 309 

54. In Slavery Times 314 

55. North Carolina Secedes from the Union 319 

56. North Carolina First at Bethel 324 

57. The State Invaded 328 

58. Further Progress of the War 333 

59. Progress of Events 339 

60. Farthest to the Front at Gettysburg 344 

59. Progress of Events 339 

61. Pickett's Attack on Newbern 349 

62. The Ram Albemarle and the Capture of 

Plymouth 354 

63. The War in Virginia 358 

64. Fall of Wilmington 363 

65. Sherman Invades the State 367 

66. Last at Appomattox 371 

67. End of the War 376 



Contentt. - 

Chapter Page 

Period of Reconstruction and Growth, 1865-1916 

68. Coming of the Carpet-B agger 385 

69. The Ku-Klux Klan 390 

70. The Kirk War 394 

71. Impeacliment of Governor HoIden..„ 398 

72. Retreat of the Carpet-Bagger „.„ 402 

73. Industrial and Educational Progress 406 

74. Events at Home and Abroad „ „ 411 

75. Educational Awakening „_„„„ 416 

76. Most Recent Times .„.. .„ -. 42C 

Appendices 

Constitution of North Carolina..... .™ 429 

List of the Governors „.„_.. .>™. . 477 

List of the Counties 479 



;: if i " : f ,■ J ^; » !■ i! :• ■ • '•' 



INTRODUCTION 

"'Breathes there a man with soul so dead 
Who never to himself hath said 
This is my own, my native land?" 

— Byron. 

THE COUNTRY. 

Extent and Size. — By consulting a map of the 
United States it will be seen that North Carolina 
is the largest State, with the exception of Georgia, 
on the Atlantic coast. It is five hundred and 
three miles long and one hundred and eighty- 
seven miles wide, in its greatest extent. Its 
area is 52,250 square miles. If the State could 
be made to revolve around a pin, at Murphy, 
swinging south, Cape Hatteras, on the extreme 
east, would cut Florida into two almost equal 
parts, and, continuing as the hands of a clock, 
would sweep the Gulf of Mexico, cross the Mis- 
sissippi near Vicksburg, brush St. Louis on the 
northwest edge, stalk across Illinois and Indiana, 
cut into Lake Erie a few miles, cut off the south- 
west corner of Pennsylvania, dash through the 
Maryland panhandle, and after striking the surf 
on the coast of Virginia settle to its original posi- 
tion. 

Natural Divisions. — llicrc are three natural di-" 
visions of the State's surface, as follows : the 
Eastern, extending from the tide water districts 
to the western line of sand-hills along: the Wil- 



18 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

mington and Weldon Railroad; the Middle or 
Piedmont, stretching from the western verge of 
sand-hills to the foot of the Blue Ridge; and the 
Western, including the mountainous section of 
the State. The Eastern is chiefly lowlands, level, 
and, in many places, swampy. The soil, when 
reclaimed from the incessant overflow, is exceed- 
ingly fertile and productive. The Middle is roll- 
ing and hilly with broad stretches of level land 
that produce abundant crops. The Western con- 
tains the most beautiful and romantic mountain 
scenery in the eastern half of the United States. 

Rivers and Sounds.- — North Carolina is well 
watered. In the east the Chowan, the Roanoke, 
the Tar, the Neuse, and the Cape Fear are beau- 
tiful streams that furnish highways for trade 
along their banks. The middle section prides it- 
self on having the Haw, the Deep, the Catawba, 
the Yadkin, and the Dan, all supplying water 
power of superior advantages and contributing 
largely to the wealth of the State. The moun- 
tain division is made beautiful by the limpid 
waters of the French Board, the Swannanoa, the 
Pigeon, the Tuskaseigee, the W^atauga, the Hi- 
wassee, the Nantahala, the Tennessee, the New, 
and the Oconalufty Rivers. 

In the east the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds 
are beautiful sheets of water, abounding in fish 
and oysters. Besides these two, there are Boguc, 
Core, Croatan, Roanoke, and Currituck sounds, 
which are inlets or arms of the first mentioned 
two. During the winter season great flocks of 



Introduction. 19 

ducks, geese, and swans frequent these waters, 
furnishing sport for hunters, w^ho go there in 
large numbers, and a source of revenue to the in- 
habitants of those sections. 

Mountain Scenery. — The mountains of western 
North Carolina are famed for their beauty. Some 
of the finest scenery in the United States can be 
found among the Balsams, the Great Smokies, and 
the Black Mountains. Mount Mitchell in Yancey 
County is the highest peak east of the Mississippi 
river. There are about forty other peaks that 
attain a height of over six thousand feet. Cling- 
man's Dome, near the Tenn,essee line, was for a 
time considered the highest peak in .the State, but 
that distinction is now universally accorded to 
Mount Mitchell. 

Soil and Products. — Tn the eastern section the 
soil is usually sandy except in the bottom lands 
where the black earth, made by vegetable de- 
posits, is abundant. Ihe middle and western di- 
visions have clayey soil, llie products are varied. 
Nearly all kinds of produce in the United States 
can be grown in North Carolina. Cotton, corn, 
wheat, and tobacco are the chief staple crops. 
The niineral products are becoming more and 
more valuable. Gold, copper, mica, kaolin, zinc, 
and marl are among the most valuable that arc 
worked. 

THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS. 
Occupiers of the Land. — Previous to 1584 no 
white man had ever set foot on the soil of North 



20 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Carolina. Indians were the only inhabitants and 
the sole tillers of the soil. They lived in wigwans 
near the sounds and rivers of the east, on the 
plains and in the valleys of the middle section, 
and among the mountains of the west. Their 
hunting grounds stretched from the sandhills of 
the tide-water section to the towering peaks of 
the Appalachians. 

The Tribes and Their Homes. — In the eastern 
section dwelt the powerful Tuscaroras and the 
smaller tribes partially or wholly dependent upon 
them, namely, the Corees, the Mattamuskeets, the 
Yeopins, the Meherrins, the Pungos, the Chow- 
anokes, and the Croatans. In the Piedmont sect- 
ion, the fierce Catawbas held sway ; while the 
mountains were occupied by the numerous and 
warlike Cherokees. 

Dress and Customs. — When the first settlers 
came they found the natives in a barbarous condit- 
ion Their houses were of the rudest structure, 
built of poles and covered with bark or mats made 
of bull-rushes. Their clothing was made from the 
skins of animals, or straw plaited together. They 
wore no shoes nor hats. For plowing the land, 
these simple people had nothing more than a 
wooden mattock with which they broke the soil 
for the planting of the few seeds they had. Their 
only crops were corn, melons, peas, and tobacco. 
For weapons they had the bow and arrow and the 
tomahawk fashioned from stone. Religion was 
with them a sentiment. They believed in a Great 
Spirit, who rewarded the faithful by giving at 



Introduction. 21 

death an abundant entrance into the happy hunt- 
ing ground of the beyond. 

Game and Fish. — The forests were filled with 
game. Buffaloes, elks, bears, deer, panthers, and 
wolves swarmed upon the plains and the hills. 
Smaller game abounded in all parts of the coun- 
try, and birds of rich plumage made the forests 
vocal with their melody. Fish of almost every 
variety were found in the waters of the east. The 
country was a real paradise for the simple natives. 

The Unbroken Wilderness. — One vast wilder- 
ness of virgin forests extended from mountains 
to sea. Here and there, it is true, the wild soli- 
tude was broken by an Indian village surrounded 
by patches of Indian corn and stretches of baren 
land, that had been made so by forest fires. The 
forests were almost pathless. At intervals trails 
made by Indian hunters might be seen threading 
their way from hill to hill. Otherwise the wild- 
erness was unbroken. 

Ignorance of the Natives. — In this trackless soli- 
tude the simple natives lived and dreamed away 
their lives. No thought was given to the people 
that dwelt on the other side of the great ocean, 
nor did these children of the wilderness know of 
the great events transpiring in other quarters of 
the earth. Their knowledge of the world was 
limited by the borders of their hunting grounds 
and the great expanse of water stretched out be- 
fore them. 

Prophecies and Visions. — The natives were a 
people that dreamed dreams and saw visions. They 



22 A Child's History of North CaroUna. 

had prophets and fortune tellers that told of great 
things that should happen. One of the prophe- 
cies told of strange beings, with pale faces and 
blue eyes, who should come from across the seas 
and take possession of the land and drive the In- 
dian from his home. Believing this story, many 
a dusky warrior, with tomahawk and bow, would 
stand upon the beach for days looking toward the 
rising sun for the coming of the expected enemy. 
Such was North Carolina before it was discovered 
by Englishmen, a great State in embryo without 
a name, inhabited by a people imable and incapa- 
ble of subduing the land. 

QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. Give the length, breadth, and area of North 

Carolina. 

2. Give some idea of the size of the State from 

illustration. 

3. Name and locate the natural divisions and tell 

something of each. 

4. Name the chief rivers in each section. Trace 

them on the map. 

5. Name and locate the sounds. 

6. For what arc the mountains famed? 

7. What is said of Mount Mitchel and Cling- 

man's Dome? Locate them. 

8. How many peaks are over six thousand feet 

high? 

9. Describe the soil in each of the three sect- 

ions, and name the agricultural and mineral 
products. 



Introduction. 23 

10. What was the condition of the State before 

the coming- of the white settlers? 

11. Where and how did the Indians live? 

12. Name the tribes and tell where each lived. 

13. What kind of game abounded? 

14. Wliat was the condition of the country? 

15. Tell something of the ignorance of the na- 

tives? 

16. What prophec}^ had been made? 



ATTEMPTED SETTLEMENTS- 

1584—1590 i 

CHAPTER I. 
DISCOVERY. 

First Ships in North Carolina Waters. — July 4th, 
1584, two ships sailed through the narrow inlet 
near what is now Ocracoke and came to anchor 
in the placid waters east of an island that has 
since been called Roanoke. These were the first 
ships ever seen in those waters. The Indians that 
were in the neighborhood, saw them with astonish- 
ment and began to run away in fear. It was a 
great sight to the red man and filled him with 
alarm, for he looked upon the strange boats as 
enormous birds with white wings, sent by the 
Great Spirit to punish him for some wrongs he 
had committed. 

Where the Ships were From. — The ships were 
from England, and had been sent over by Sir 
Walter Raleigh, a rich nobleman of London, un- 
der the command of Philip Amadas and Arthur 
P)arlowe, to explore the South Atlantic coast. 
Raleigh had obtained a charter from Queen Eliza- 
beth, giving him the right to explore and settle 
any country that was not at that time in posses- 
sion of a Christian prince. He was a favorite of 



26 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

the queen and had an almost unHmited fortune at 
his command. The ships he had sent to North 
Carolina waters were small but well equipped and 
manned by one hundred doughty sailors. 

The Indians Show Themselves. — It was two 
days before the Indians plucked up courage 
Enough to approach the white men. They were 
watching the ships from their hiding places on 
shore, .not daring to show themselves. Amadas 
and Barlowe had begun to think the country un- 
inhabited, for they had as yet seen no signs of 
human beings. On the third day, however, Eng- 
lishmen on board the boats saw in the distance a 
canoe, with three men in it, coming toward them, 
following the line of the shore, coming into view 
and disappearing again as it made the curves of 
the coast line. 

An Indian Brave.— On board the ship every man 
was observing the approaching canoe. As the 
boat came nearer it was seen that the three men 
were hesitating as to what they should do. When 
within a few hundred yards of the ships, the canoe 
was run ashore and one of the men got out. 
Leaving the other two in the boat he ran along 
the shore toward the ships and beckoned to the 
Englishmen on board. It was plain, by his man- 
ner, that he wanted to speak to them. Captain 
Amadas, with others, went over to the Indian, 
who received' them with every sign of welcome, 
and assured them that he came as a friendly mes- 
senger. 

Visit to the Ships. — After many exclamations, 



Attempted Settlements. 2l 

which were understood to be friendly overtures, 
the Indian got into the Englishmen's boat and 
asked to be taken to the big ships. He was taken 
over and shown many things that were wonderful 
to him. Captain Barlowe presented the Indian 
with a shirt and a hat, which delighted him very 
much. He ate some of the Englishmen's food and 
drank some of their wine, which he seemed to like. 
After looking at everything in the two ships, he 
asked to be taken back to shore. 

An Expression of Thanks.^ — Upon reaching his 
own boat, the Indian, with his companions, rowed 
out into the sound and began fishing. In half an 
hour they had caught as many fish as their little 
boat would hold. Coming again" to land nearest 
the ships they divided the fish into two heaps, and 
by motions and signs showed that each English 
boat should take a share. With this expression of 
thanks the Indians departed. 

Visit of Granganimeo. — Se\eral days later a 
great Indian chief, Cranganimeo, came, with forty 
or fifty warriors, to see the Englishmen's ships, for 
the news of the arrival of the white men had 
spread to all the tribes around. The Englishmen 
armed themselves, for they were uncertain whether 
the Indians meant war or not, and went over to 
the shore where the savages were. As the boat 
pulled up to the shore the white men made a 
great noise by rattling their guns and swords to 
see whether or not the Indians would be fright- 
ened, but the grim warriors showed no sign of 
fear. Cranganimeo was seated on a large bear 



28 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

skin. He beckoned to the captains to come and 
be seated on a part of his bear skin. Then he 
made a long speech of welcome in his own lan- 
guage, pointing with his fingers and striking his 
own head and breast and the heads and breasts 
of Amadas and Barlowe to show his friendship. 

Giving of Presents. — In order to return this 
show of friendship, Amadas and Barlowe presented 
the chief with some jewelry and wearing apparel 
which he took and put into a basket near by. Not 
to slight anyone the Englishmen then gave all the 
Indian attendants some small presents, but Gran- 
ganimeo immediately got up and took from his 
attendants all the articles they had received and 
put them in his own basket, showing that he wish- 
ed all gifts to be made to himself. 
King Wingina. — By signs Granganimeo told the 
sailors that he had come as a messenger from his 
brother, Wingina, who was the king of the coun- 
try, and who at that time was suffering from a 
wound recently received in a battle with a neigh- 
boring tribe. After a further exchange of cour- 
tesies Granganimo left, much pleased with the 
Rnglishmen and the Englishmen with him. 

Trading with the Natives. — For some weeks 
Amadas and Barlowe remamed in those waters, 
trading with the natives who came every day. 
The white men exchanged tin ware, copper ket- 
tles, axes, and hatchets for skins and fish. The 
Indians were very anxious to purchase swords and 
guns, but the white men were wise enough to re- 
fuse to sell to them. A large tin dish especially 



Attempted Settlements. 29 

pleased Granganimeo, who held it up to his breast 
saying that it would keep off the arrows of his 
enemies. He gave twenty deer skins for it, and, 
after making a hole through it, tied it around his 
neck, and left in high glee. 

Visit to the Indian Village. — After trading with 
the natives for a few weeks Captain Barlowe, with 
seven other men, went to the northern end of Ro- 
anoke Island to visit Granganimeo and to learn 
what he could about th^^ country. Granganimeo 
was away from home, but the Englishmen were 
well entertained by the chief's wife, a handsome 
young Indian woman dressed in skins and wear- 
ing beads that she had bought from the English- 
m.en a few weeks before. Barlowe and his men 
were surprised to find the Indians living in good 
houses. Granganimeo lived in a five room house, 
and many of his warriors had good homes also, 
an unusual thing among the Indians of that time. 
The Englishmen were rustically and royally enter- 
tained, and departed next day expressing many 
thanks to the royal hostess. 

Departure for England. — For some days the 
white men explored the country and the waters 
near by, after which they returned to their ships. 
Soon thereafter they set sail for England, having 
spent two months in North Carolina. To prove 
their discovery Captains Armadas and Barlowe took 
with them two young Indian boys, Manteo, who 
became a steadfast friend of the English, and 
AVanchcse, who became a relentless foe. They 
also carried with them samples of tobacco, which 



30 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

was found on Roanoke Island, and the potato, 
which afterwards became the staple crop in Ireland 
and became known as "Irish potato." 

QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. Find the following on the map: Ocracoke, 

Roanoke Island, Albemarle sound, Pamlico 
sound. 

2. What ships came into Albemarle sound in 

1584? 

3. Why had they come? How did the Indians 

regard them? 

4. Tell of the first meeting of the Englishmen 

and the Indian brave. 

5. How was the Indian treated on board the 

ships? 

6. How did he show his thanks? 

7. Give an account of the visit of Granganimeo. 

8. Who was king of the country? Why didn't 

he come? 

9. What trading was done with the Indians? 

10. What article specially pleased Granganimeo 

11. (ii\e an account of the giving of presents. 

12. What visit did the wdiite men make? 

13. Why were they surprised? Who entertained 

them? 

14. How long did the hLngiishmen remain in 

North Carolina? 

15. What did they take l)ack to England? 



Attempted Settlements. 31 



CHAPTER II. 
THE FIRST COLONY. 

Favorable Report About the New Land. — Amad- 
as and Barlowe returned to England in September, 
and wrote a description of the country they had 
visited. The soil was declared to be exceedingly 
fertile ; the vegetation very abundant ; game plenti- 
ful ; and fishing wonderfully fine. Sir Walter 
Raleigh was well pleased with the report and de- 
termined to plant a colony in the new land. 
Queen Elizabeth was so delighted with the newly 
discovered country that she gave it the name of 
Virginia in honor of herself, the virgin queen. 

A Colony Sent Out.— -Sir Walter Raleigh began 
at once the gathering of a colony to send to 
Roanoke. He called for \olunteers and one hun- 
dred and seven men res])onded. In the list of 
names of those who came over in this colony 
such familiar Xorth Carolina names as the fol- 
lowing are found : Rogers, Harvey, Taylor, Phil- 
ips, Kelly, Harris. Allen (Allyne), Norris, White. 
Barnes, Latham, Stexenson, Mason, Skinner, and 
1 .ane. Ralph Lane was appointed governor; 
Philip Amadas, one (^f the discoverers of the year 
before, bore the high scumding title of "Admiral 
of the countr\- A and Sir Richard (jrenxille was 



32 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

put in command of the fleet of seven small vessels 
that brought the colony over. 

First Conflict with the Natives. — The colony left 
England in April 1585, and, after a voyage of 
nearly three months, cast anchor off the island of 
Wocoken on the coast of North Carolina on the 
third of July. Manteo and Wanchese, w^ho were 
on board, went at once to Roanoke Island to tell 
Wingina, the king, that the English were coming 
to visit him. While waiting for them to return, 
Sir Richard Grenville, with a party of men, went 
to the mainland to explore the country round 
Pamlico sound. These men were unkind enough 
to do a very ugly thing. They went to an In- 
dian village to spend the night, and the Indians 
were kind enough to give them the best beds 
they had, and the best food they could get. The 
next day one of the white men complained that an 
Indian boy had stolen a silver cup from him dur- 
ing the night. When the cup could not be found 
the Englishmen became angry and began to raise 
"rough house" about it. The savages were badly 
frightened and began to run in all directions. 
The white men shot at the fleeing Indians and 
set fire to the village, burning it to the ground. 
Not content with that the colonists destroyed all 
the corn growing round about. After thus pay- 
ing for a night's lodging, Grenville and his men 
returned to the ships and found that Manteo 
was there with a message from Wingina, inviting 
the colonists to locate on Roanoke Island. Gran- 
ganimeo also came to urge the white men to come. 




[ANxeo - fHe L 



ORD (&F irVOANOKG- 



Attempted Settlements. 33 

Wanchese did not come back to the ships, but 
afterwards entered into a plot to destroy the 
colony. 

Beginning the Settlement. — Accepting the invi- 
tation of the Indian king, the colonists went im- 
mediately to Roanoke Island and began the mak- 
ing of homes for themselves. By this time the 
Indians in the neighborhood had heard of the 
cruel act of the white men a few weeks before in 
the burning of a village and the destruction of 
crops, and began to show some signs of un- 
friendliness. Governor Lane, therefore, built a 
fort for protection against his hostile neighbors. 

Lane's Explorations and Adventures. — After 
completing his fort and the temporary dwelling- 
places Governor Lane set out upon his exploring 
expeditions up and down the rivers and sounds 
of that section. He went up the Chowan river 
beyond where Winton now stands, and made an 
examination of the county on each side. He also 
explored the Roanoke, then called Morotoc, for 
more than one hundred miles. To the south he 
traversed the waters of the Pamlico sound and 
river of the same name, extending his ex]:)lora- 
tions up the Neuse river above the present site of 
Newbern. On his trip up the Roanoke he was 
in great danger from the natives. Wingina, who. 
with Wanchese, had entered into a plot to destroy 
the colony, told Governor Lane some big stones 
about rich mines up the river, near the place, he 
said, where the waves from the great western 
ocean washed over into the Morotoc ri\er. Lane 



34 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

believed these incredible stories and decided to 
make the journey in search of the gold mines, a 
thing the plotters wished him to do ; for they 
expected Lane and his companions to be slain by 
the warlike tribes along the river. 

Wingina's Plot to Destroy the Colony. — Accord- 
ingly when Lane made ready to set out with 
boats and men, the cunning savage sent runners 
up the river to tell the Indians that the whites 
were coming to make war upon them. So when 
Lane and his men stopped at certain places to 
buy food, they found the natives unfriendly and 
unwilling to sell them anything. The explorers, 
therefore, had to go hungry much of the time. 

Conflict with the Savages. — After some days the 
white men came to a bend in the river where a 
large crowd of Indians had assembled, who began 
to show hostile signs and to threaten the English- 
men with the tomahawk. Manteo, who was with 
Lane, said the Indians meant fight. He had 
hardly spoken when the whole crowd let fly a 
shower of arrows that fell upon the boat and in 
the water around, but did no damage. Governor 
Lane ordered' his men to fire upon them, and the 
savages fled. Instantly the boat was run ashore ; 
the white men leaped out with guns in hand, and 
charged up the hill expecting to find an army of 
red men to give them battle. Not a savage, how- 
ever, was to be seen. They had fled to the 
woods. 

Colonists Return to Roanoke. — Governor Lane 
then decided that it was best to return to Roan- 



Attempted Settlements. 35 

oke as provisions had given out and there was no 
chance to get more. On the w^ay down the river 
the sailors got very hungry ; and, as there was no 
food of the right sort, they killed one of the dogs 
and boiled the flesh with sassafras leaves. On 
this strange diet they subsisted for several days, 
reaching Roanoke half starved. 

Disappointment of Wingina. — Wingina and 
W^anchese were greatly disappointed at the return 
of Governor Lane. They had even told the En- 
glishmen, who had been left on the island that 
Lane and his men had been slain in a great battle 
with the savages up the Monotoc river. These 
crafty red men, therefore, were much put out by 
Lane's safe return, and formed another plot to 
destroy the colony. Lender the pretense that he 
was going to celebrate the funeral of his father, 
Ensinore, who had died in April, Wingina invited 
all the Indians around Roanoke to assemble on 
the island, June 10th. His plan was to get sev- 
eral thousand Indians together and have them at 
a given signal to fall upon the colony and kill 
every man. The plot was revealed to Governor 
Lane by Skyco, a friendly and trusted Indian. 

Failure of the Plot. — About one hundred In- 
dians had already assembled on Roanoke Island 
in the neighborhood of the colony before Lane 
became aware of the plot Immediately he led 
twenty-five armed men in an attack upon the sav- 
ages, killed five of th(Mn, and put the rest to flight. 
Seizing some of the Indian boats Lane led his 
little band to the mainland, where Wingina was. 



36 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

made an assault upon his position, and slew him 
with eight of his warriors. The remainder of the 
tribe fled in terror. Four of the Englihsmen lost 
their lives in these conflicts. 

Abandonment of the Settlement. — Soon after 
these events Sir Francis Drake, a famous English 
sea-captain, with a fleet of seven vessels, appeared 
off the coast. Preceiving that the colony was in 
danger of destruction, either by starvation or 
massacre, Governor Lane requested Drake to take 
the colonists all back to England. Arrangements 
were accordingly made, and on June 18th, 1586, 
Lane and the entire colony set sail for England 
having spent about ten months in North Carolina. 

Arrival of Supply Ships. — Some days after the 
departure of the colony a ship loaded with provis- 
ions came from England, but, finding the colonists 
gone, returned home. Some two weeks afterward, 
Sis Richard Grenville, on his return voyage from 
the West Indies, stopped at Roanoke, and, finding 
the island deserted by white men, left a garrison of 
fifteen sailors to hold possession of the territory 
and continued his voyage to England. These 
men were later attacked and massacred by the 
Indians. 

QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. Describe the courses of the following rivers: 

Roanoke, Chowan, Neuse, Pamlico. 

2. What report did Amadas and Barlowe make? 

3. What name was given the new land? 



Attempted Settlements. 37 

4. Tell how the colony was organized and give 

some of the names of men in it. 

5. Who were the officers of the colony? 

6. Give an account of the trouble at an Indian 

village. 
• 7. What invitations, were received by the colo- 
nists? 

8. What did the white men first do at Roanoke? 

9. Why were the Indians unfricndly- 

10 Give a brief account of Lane's explorations 
and adventures. 

11. Tell about Wingina's plots and how they 

failed. 

12. How many lives were lost in the conflict? 

13. How and why did the colonists return to 

England? 



38 A Child's History of North Carolina, 



CHAPTER III. 
THE LOST COLONY. 

Preparation for a Second Colony. — Sir Walter 
Raleigh was much grieved at the failure of Lane's 
colony, but he did not abandon his cherished pur- 
pose of planting a settlement in the New Wodd. 
He began immediately to get ready for sending 
out another colony. This time he provided for the 
building of permanent homes in the new country 
by sending out men and their families with the 
hope that homes would be made and a growing 
community begun. John White was appointed 
governor and a liberal charter granted the colony. 
According to instructions White was to go to Ro- 
anoke, take on board thf' fifteen Englishmen that 
had been left there, and proceed to the Chespeake 
bay where on its shores he was to build the ''fair 
city of Raleigh." 

The Landing at Roanoke. — In the spring of 
1587^ the colony of one hundred and seventeen 
men women, and children, together with Manteo 
and Towaye, two Indians who went to England 
with Lane the year before^ left Portsmouth, and 
after a voyage of nearly ih^ee months cast anchor 
at Roanoke Island, July 22nd. Simon Fernando, 
the admiral of the fleet, refused to take the settlers 
to the Chespeake, and White had to, against his 



Attempted Settlements. 39 

will, begin the settlement on the fatal island. 
Here the settlers began at once to repair the 
houses Lane had built and to build others. Some 
comfortable homes were provided, and the colony 
settled down tc work, notwithstanding the fact 
that they were disappointed in the selection of the 
site. But the Indians were unfriendly. A short 
while after the landing, George Howe, one of the 
settlers, went about a mile from the settlement 
to catch crabs. He waded out into the sound 
where the water was shallow and was filling his 
bag wdth crabs, when some Indians, who had been 
watching him, crept up as near as they could and 
shot him to death with their arrows; and, after 
beating his head into pieces with their wooden 
swords fled to the mainland. 

Resolution to Chastise the Indians. — This out- 
rage filled the women and children with alarm and 
the men with anger. It was learned that the mur- 
der was committed by some of Wingina's men, 
who lived on the mainland. They had not forgot- 
ten how Governor Lane treated them the year be- 
fore, nor the loss of the silver cup near Wokoken. 
It was believed that \\\anchese also had something 
to do with the murder and that he led the attack 
upon the fifteen sailors Grenville had left there 
months before. The colonists, therefore, desired 
very much to take vengeance upon him and this 
wicked tribe. 

Expedition Against the Savages. — To take the 
Indians by surprise (Governor White, with twenty- 
four well armed men. went over to the mainland 



40 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

very early one morning and ran upon a tribe of 
savages sitting around a camp fire. White and 
his men fired upon the unsuspecting natives who 
immediately fled to the swamps. One Indian was 
killed and several wounded. The white men 
charged into the swamp intending to destroy the 
entire tribe, but they soon found out that a dread- 
ful mistake had been made. Instead of having 
fired upon a hostile band. White learned that he 
had chanced upon some friendly Indians from the 
island of Croatan, Manteo's people, who had come 
over to make war upon the unfriendly tribe, and, 
finding them gone, were enjoying themselves in 
the camp of their enemies. The white men were 
very sorry that the mistake was made, and it 
grieved Manteo very much. Governor White, 
however, made amends by many subsequent acts- 
of kindness. 

The Lord of Roanoke. — Two or three days after 
the return of this expedition, August 13, 1587, 
Manteo became a Christian and was baptized, and 
at the same time he was dubbed a knight and 
made Lord of Roanoke in accordance with in- 
structions given to Governor White by Sir Walter 
Raleigh before the colony sailed from England. 
This was the first Christian baptism and the first 
bestowal of knighthood within the present limits 
of the United States. 

Birth of Virginia Dare.. — Five days afterwards, 
August 18, little Virginia, daughter of Ananias and 
Eleanor Dare and the grand-daughter of Governor 
White, was born. She was the first child born of 



Attempted Settlements. 41 

English people in America. One of the counties 
in the State is named in her honor. 

Return of Governor White to England. — By 
this time the ships that had brought the colony 
over were ready to return to England, and the col- 
onists were prepairing their letters and tokens to 
send to fr^'ends across the sea. It became neces- 
sary for some one to go back with the fleet to get 
supplies for the colony. White was asked by the 
colonists to go, but he, at first, refused. Finally, 
he consented to do so, and bidding farewell to the 
fateful colony sailed for England. 

Fatal Delay of the Governor.— Reaching Eng- 
land Wdiite found the nation in great confusion on 
account of a war then going on with Spain. A 
large Spanish fleet called the Invincible Armada 
was coming with an army to invade England. 
Everything and everybody were in confusion and 
excitement, and (Governor White had to wait three 
years before he could get tbe necessary supplies 
for the colony. Hiis delay was fatal. At last in 
the spring of 1590 with a relief ship and provisions 
he set out tor Roanoke. W^hen he landed and went 
to the fort he found it deserted and partially de- 
stroyed, the houses out of repair, and deer living 
in the undergrowth around Not a human being 
was to be seen. Some nieces of furniture and a 
few old books and ])am])hlets were scattered about. 
Tb.ere was no evidence of a conflict with the In- 
dians. Everything indicated that the settlement 
I'nd been deliberately abandoned. 

Crcatan. — ("lovernor W'bito was greatly gricxed 



42 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

at finding the settlement deserted, but presently he 
saw something which promised hope. On a tree 
just outside of the old fort, carved in bold letterS; 
was the word CROATOAN. Upon a post near 
by was the syllable CRO. To White this meant 
that the colonists had gone to the island of Croa- 
tan, for it had been agreed upon between the gov- 
ernor and the settlers three years before that, if 
the colony should be moved in his absence, the 
name of the place to whuh the settlers had gone 
should be cut upon a tree near the fort, and if the 
colonists were in distress a cross should be cut 
above the name. There was no cross, and so 
Governor White expectee to find the settlers safe 
and well at Croatan. It was a fact, which White 
did not know at the time that the mainland just 
west of Roanoke Inland was also called Croatan 
or Croatoan. 

Abandonment of the Colony to its Fate. — White 
hurried back to the ship intending to go at once 
to Croatan island to find the colony. Several cir- 
cumstance;,, however, prevented his doing so. The 
admiral in command, said tbat the vessel needed 
repairing and provisions were short. lie insisted 
that he would have to ^;ail at once to the West 
Indies to refit. Covernor White urged and almost 
begged that they should e,o in search of the colony, 
but in vain. While th^^ two were arguing the 
matter a \ 'olent storm came up and blew the ship 
out to sea For several days the storm raged, and 
when at last the sea became calm, it was found 
best to sail at once for England. ihus the colony 



Attempted Settlements. 43 

was left to its fate in an unknown land. White 
intended to return to Roanoke and seareh for the 
settlers uniil they were found, but Raleigh, at this 
time, was broken in fortune and somewhat in ill- 
favor with the queen. He was unable to proeure 
the means for the trip, and darkness, therefore 
settled dovvn upon this second attempt to colonize 
the New world. What became of the colonists is 
still an unanswered question. Some ten years 
after, several expeditions were sent out from Eng- 
land to find them, but nothing definite could ever 
be learned 

Indian Stories. — Years afterward some Indians 
told the settlers at Jamer-.town, Va., that the colo- 
nists had been massacred with few exceptions by 
the Powhatan Indians of Virginia. The story, as 
told by these Indians, is that the settlers, soon 
after White's departure, moved to the mainland 
and lived there several years wdth the friendly 
Indians. Finally, the Powhatan tribe made war 
upon the Croatans, destroyed their villages, and 
massacred along with the Indians all the white 
people except four men, tv^o bo^s, and a little girl 
who fled with Manteo to Cioatan island and be- 
came lost to the \\(jrld. It is assumed, that, if 
this story .s true, Virginia Dare was the little girl 
that escaped. There is another storv that Vir- 
ginia grew to womanhood among the Indians, and 
that a rej^'cted Indian lover possessing the power 
of witchcraft changed her to a white doe that 
defied for a long time the arrows of (he hunters; 
1)Ut was rnallv ki'.ied l)v Wanchese. who carried 



44 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

an enchanted bow. There is still another story 
that Virginia Dare^ after reaching womanhood, be- 
came queen of the Hatteras tribe of Indians and 
ruled them wisely and well for many years. 

The Probable Fate. — it is now generally be- 
lieved that the colonists removed to Croatan Island 
and there intermanied with the savages, and in 
two of three generations lost their identity. The 
descendants of the Croatan tribe are still living in 
Robeson County, and have the appearance of pos- 
sessing white blood in their veins. These people 
are now called Croatan Indians, and have a tra- 
dition that some of th.^ir ancestors w^ere white 
people 

QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. Point out the Chespeake Bay. 

2. Where is Dare County? What is its county 

seat? 

3. Where are the West Indies? 

4. Point out Robeson County. 

5. Whar kind of settlers did Raleigh now send 

out? Why? 

6. Who was appointed Governor? What in- 

structions were given him? 

7. How many persons were in the colony? 

8. Tell how George Howe was killed. 

9. Tell how the colonists tried to revenge his 

death. 

10 Relat*:^ two interesting events. 

11 Why did White return to England? Why 

vva.> he de laved? 



Attempted Settlements. 45 

12. When he returned to Roanoke what did he 

find? 
13 Why did he not go in search of the colony? 

14. Relate the Indian stories of how the colony 

was destroyed? 

15. What was the probable fate or the colony? 
GENERAL REVIEW OF THE PERIOD OF 



ATTEMPTED SETTLEMENTS. 

PERSONS. 
Give the facts about the following persons, an- 
swering the questions — who? when? where? what? 
— about each : 

Walter Raleigh Philip Amadas 

Arthur Barlowe (xranganimeo 

Wirgina Manteo 

Wanchese Richard Grenville 

Ralph Lane Skyco 

ohn White ("eorge Howe 

Virg.nia Dare Fleanor Dare 

PLAC^ES 
Tell where each is and for what noted, 
"'^oanoke Island Wokoken 

Pamlico Sound Chespeake Bay 

Cioatan iamertown 

EVENTS ' 

Give a :-hort account ci 

An Indian's visit to the ships 
Lan ling of Lane's Colony 



46 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Witigina's Plot 

Murder of George Howe 

Baptism of Manteo ! 

White's Return to England 

Indian Legends 

Visit of Granganimeo 

Trip up the Morotoc 

Departure of the Colony 

Attacks on the friendly Indians 

Birth of Virg-inia Dare 

Seaich for the Colonists 

The Croatan Indians 

Each of these topics might form subjects for 
written exercises. 



PROPRIETARY GOVERNMENT. 
1663—1729. 

CHAPTER IV. 
FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT. 

Sixty Years of Solitude ^ — After Governor White 
went baek to Englanrl, leaving the colony lost in 
the wilds of North Carolina, more than sixty 
years elapsed before any other attempt was made 
to plant a colony in the present limits of the 
State. During that time Virginia had been set- 
tled, the Pilgrims had landed on Plymouth rock, 
and other settlements had been made on the At- 
lantic coast. Prosperous communities had grown 
up in many parts of what is now the United 
States. North Carolina, however, was still a 
wilderness with no white people within her bor- 
ders. 

North Carolina Given Away. — In 1629, Charles 
I., king of P.ngland, gave all the territory be- 
tween 31 deg. and 36 dcg. North latitude, includ- 
ing most of what is now North Carolina, besides 
the country to the South to the northern borders 
of Morida and westward to the Pacific ocean, to 
Sir Ixobert Heath, who was at that time Attorney- 
Ciencral of the kingdom. The country was then 
called Carolana, a name the French explorers had 



48 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

given the whole coast south of Virginia years 
before in honor of their king Charles IX. The 
English called it Carolina in honor of their king 
Charles I. Heath held the grant for some years 
and then gave it to Lord Maltravers, who, in 
turn, gave it back to the king. It would seem, 
therefore, that in those days some people thought 
North Carolina was not worth having. 

Some Explorations.! — About 1622, before the 
Heath grant was made, a man by the name of 
Porey with some adventurers explored the lands 
on the Chowan and the Roanoke rivers, return- 
ing to Virginia settlements with a good report 
of the fertility of the country. In consequence 
of this report many people in the Jamestown 
Colony became anxious to move to the new land. 
Favorable grants, however, could not then be 
obtained. 

In the fall of 1653, Francis Yardley, a resident 
of Jamestown, Va., made some explorations in the 
Albemarle section and established peace and 
friendship with the Indians. He came into that 
section by the way of Roanoke Island and saw 
there the old fort built by the first colonists 
seventy years before. He met also the king of all 
the tribes in the neighborhood of Roanoke and 
built for him a palace, whi^h pleased the chieftain 
very much. Leaving Roanoke, Yardley went in- 
land a considerable distance to the country of the 
Tuscaroras, who yielded themselves subjects to the 
English government by giving to the explorer a 
piece of earth with an arrow stuck through it. 



.(«(««: 




Proprietary Government. 49 

After visiting several other Indian communities 
he returned to Virginia and wrote an interesting 
account of his travels. 

Roger Green's Colony. — In the same year Roger 
Green, a clergyman of Nansemond County, Vir- 
ginia, obtained a grant of ten thousand acres of 
land on the Chowan river. A colony of one hun- 
dred people moved from Nansemond County and 
settled on a portion of this grant on the south 
bank of the river a few miles from its mouth, 
making there the first permanent settlement in the 
present limits of the State. . About the same time, 
George Durant and Samuel Pricklove bought from 
the Indians large tracts of land on the Perquimans 
river. 

Friendliness of the Natives. — These early set- 
tlers found the Indians very friendly and even 
hospitable. Every day some of the natives came 
where the white people were building their homes 
and looked on with a great deal of interest. They 
were willing to assist the settlers and quite a 
number were employed by the white men to help 
in the work of building houses and planting the 
crops. The settlers were kind to them and paid 
them well for their work and whatever they bought 
from them. 

New Englanders on the Cape Fear. — I^^arly in 
1660, some adventurers from Massachusetts began 
a settlement on Old Town Creek near the mouth of 
the Cape Fear River in the present county of 
Brunswick, For a few beads and other trinkets 
they bought some land from the Indians, and 



50 A Child's History of North CaroUna. 

brought in cattle from Virginia and New England 
to begin a stock farm. They were not successful 
in cattle raising, for the land was not so suitable 
for pasturage as they had supposed. 

Trouble with the Natives. — It is said that when 
the enterprising New Eng'landers saw that their 
cattle raising was a failure, they began to kidnap 
some of the Indian children and send them away 
to be sold into slavery. According to one story, 
the Yankee settlers persuaded the natives to allow 
them to take their children ostensibly to Boston 
to go to school. Permission was given, but instead 
of the children being carried to Boston they were 
taken to Cuba and sold to the Spaniards. This 
deception was practiced for months, the natives 
believing the words of the white men ; but after 
awile the Indian parents began to get uneasy when 
their children did not come back to spend a vaca- 
tion at home. They went to the white men and 
demanded that their children be brought back. 
The New Englanders promised to do so, but, as 
they could not fulfill their promise, they fled from 
the country to escape the vengeance of the red 
men. 

Such is the story. Whether it is true or false, 
it is known that the New England cattle-men aban- 
doned their settlement very hurriedly, leaving 
upon the shores a sign-board warning others who 
might attempt to settle in the same place. 

Other Settlers on the Albemarle. — North of the 
Albemarle sound several important settlements 
were made in 1662. George Durant bought from 



Proprietary Government. 51 

the Indians large tracts of land in what is now 
known as Durant's Neck and opened that fine sec- 
tion up for settlers. Some of the men who located 
there were Thomas Keele, Thomas Roep, John 
Battle, Robert Peele, John Harvey, and Captain 
John Jenkins, who have many descendants now 
living in that part of the State. With these thrifty 
settlers steadily at work, a prosperous settlement 
soon sprang up. 

QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. \\'hat States now lie between 31 and 36 de- 

grees of North latitude? 

2. W^here is Nansemond County? 

3. Point out Old Town Creek; Cape Fear river. 

4. Where is Boston? Cuba? 

5. Point out Perquimans County. Durant's 

Neck. 

6. What had been done between the \ear 1590 

and 1650? 

7. To whom did Charles T. give North Carolina? 

8. What was the country named and in whose 

honor? 

9. What did Sir Robert Heath do with the land? 

10. Who explored a portion of the State in 1622? 

11. Why were no settlements made at that time? 

12. Who explored some of the eastern section in 

1653? Tell how he pleased the Indians. 

13. Relate the story of Roger Green's colony. 

14. Plow did the settlers get along with the In- 

dians ? 



52 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

15. Tell the story of the New Englanders on the 

Cape Fear. 

16. Where did George Durant settle? What 

other colonists are mentioned? 



Proprietary Government. 53 



CHAPTER V. 

THE LORDS PROPRIETORS AND THE 
FUNDEMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS. 

The Eight Lords Proprietors. — Early in 1663 
some people in England found out that North 
Carolina was worth having, for in a year eight 
noblemen petitioned king Charles II, for as much 
of the territory in the new world as the goodness 
of his heart would allow him to give them. King 
Charles was a big hearted but unwise man. He 
cared nothing for the wilds of North Carolina and 
was glad of the opportunity to grant the request 
of these eight powerful noblemen. He, therefore, 
gave to them all the land covered by the Heath 
grant of over thirty years before. The grantees 
were Edward, Earl of Clarendon; George, Duke of 
Albemarle; William, Earl of Craven; John, Lord 
Berkeley; Anthony, Lord Ashley; Sir George Car- 
teret; Sir John Colleton; and Sir William Berke- 
ley, the last being at the time governor of \^ir- 
ginia. These men were called the Lords Pro- 
])rietors of Carolina, and were given the entire 
control of the province, which retained the name 
of Carolina, probably this time in honor of Charles 
11. 

Privileges Offered Settlers. — When the Lords 
Proprietors took ])()ssessi()n, by ])roxy, of their big 



54 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

tract of land, they found many people already liv- 
ing on it Roger Green's Colony was there as was 
also the settlement on Durant's Neck. Other peo- 
ple had come from Virginia and had established 
themselves at different points along the banks of 
the Albemarle sound, the Chowan, and the Roanoke 
rivers. These were not disturbed in their posses- 
sions, but were allowed to hold their estates under 
the Lords Proprietors, who were very anxious not 
only to retain the settlers already there but to 
secure others. The Proprietors held out, there- 
fore, extra inducements to prospective planters. 
An offer of one hundred acres of land free was 
made to every man who would move in, and a 
promise to sell him afterwards at a definitely low 
price as much as he wanted in addition. The set- 
ters also were given the privilege of local self 
government and the right to chose thirteen men 
from whom the proprietors would appoint a gov- 
ernor and six councillors. 

The First Governor Appointed. — Before the set- 
tlers had time to select the thirteen men according 
to the charter, it became necessary to have a gov- 
ernor appointed by another power. The Lords 
proprietors, living in England, wrote Governor 
William Berkeley of Virginia, one of their number, 
to visit the Albemarle settlements and, if necessary, 
appoint a governor to act until the plan agreed 
upon could be put into operation. Berkeley im- 
mediately selected William Drummond of James- 
town, Va., who came to the province in the fall 
of 1663 and began his official duties. 



Proprietary Government. 55 

Settlement on the Cape Fear. — North CaroUna 
was divided at that time into two counties, 
Albemarle and Clarendon. Albemarle embraced 
all the territory touching the Albemarle and the 
Pamlico Sounds and the rivers flowing into 
them. Clarendon was the county on the 
Cape Fear River. In 1665 about eight hun- 
dred people from the Barbadoes, an English 
possession in the West Indies, under the lead- 
ership of Sir John Yeamans, came to the Cape 
Fear and began a settlement upon its banks some 
distance below the present city of Wilmington. 
These people had gone to Barbadoes from Eng- 
land some years before, but had not prospered in 
their island home. Sir John Yeamans was ap- 
pointed by the Lords Proprietors governor of 
Clarendon, and began at once the erection of 
homes and the clearing of farms. Upon Old 
Town Creek near where it empties into the Cape 
Fear a prosperous settlement was begun, which 
was called Charlestown. 

The First General Assembly. — Idie same year, 
1665, saw the first meeting af the (General Assem- 
bly of Albemarle, which was composed of dele- 
gates, elected from the settlements in the province, 
and the governor and six councillors. It met for 
the purpose of making laws for the colony, a right 
which had been guaranteed by the first charter. 
There were no towns in the province, and so the 
assembly met at the house of one of the members. 
At this meeting of the Assembly, in addition to 
making' laws for the ccdonv it was decided to 



56 A Child's History of North Carolinat. 

petition the Lards Proprietors to alter the general 
law reg'arding land grants so as to make it similar 
to the Virginia law of the same kind. The peti- 
tion was heard and granted the next year. 

Death of Governor Drummond. — William Drum- 
mond served as governor of Albemarle four years, 
and was succeeded in 1667 by Samuel Stephens, 
Drummond went back to Jamestown to live and 
afterward became involved in a rebellion against 
Governor Berkeley of Virginia. The rebellion was 
led by Nathaniel Bacon, a young man of ability 
and popularity. Drummond gave his support to 
Bacon and thereby gained the ill-will of Berkeley. 
When the rebellion collapsed a short time after- 
ward on account of the death of Bacon, Drum- 
mond was captured and brought before Governor 
Berkeley. "Mr. Drummond," said Berkeley, "I 
am more glad to see you than any man in Vir- 
ginia. Mr. Drummond, you shall be hanged in 
half an hour." He was speedily taken to the 
gallows and hanged. Thus ended in seeming^ dis- 
grace the life of the first governor of North Caro- 
lina. Lake Drummond in the Dismal Swamp per- 
petuates his name and honor. 

The New Constitution. — Samuel Stephens be- 
came governor in the fall of 1667. Before leaving 
England a new constitution was drawn up for 
North Carolina, and Stephens was charged with 
the responsibility of putting it into execution. 
According to the constitution the Assembly was 
to be composed of the governor, a council of 
ewelve men, and twelve delegates chosen by the 



Proprietary Government. 57 

people. Of the twelve councilors, six were to be 
appointed by the governor and six elected by the 
Assembly. To the Assembly was given the right 
to levy all taxes and to choose all officers of the 
province with the exception of the governor. It 
will be seen, therefore, that the early inhabitants 
of North Carolina had most of the rights their 
descendants fought for in 1775 — 1781. 

Some of the First Laws. — The second meeting 
of the Assembly and the first under the new con- 
stitution was held in 1669. At this session several 
notable laws were made. One was that no man, 
who owed a debt before coming to North CoroHna, 
could be made by process of law to pay it until he 
had been in the province five years. This law 
gave the people of Virginia a pretext for calling 
North Carolina ''Rogue's Harbor," on account of 
which hard feelings existed for a time between 
the people of Virginia and those of North Caro- 
lina. Another law was passed making it legal for 
persons to marry by simply declaring their purpose 
in the presence of competent witnesses. As no 
ministers of the church were then living in North 
Carolina that law was necessary. All settlers 
were exempt from the payment of taxes for one 
year after becoming residents, and no one was al- 
lowed to sell his land until he had owned it two 
years. Such were some of the crude but necessary 
laws of that time. 

The Fundamental Constitutions. — 11ie constitu- 
tion which Samuel Stephens brought oxer did no' 
suit the Lords Proprietors \ery well. It ga\ e tuo 



58 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

many rights to the people to be exactly in keeping 
with the spirit of the times. So Lord Shaftsbury, 
one of the proprietors, employed John Locke, a 
famous philosopher of England, to assist hini in 
framing another constitution for North Carolina. 
Together these astute men wrote a long document 
which was called the Fundamental Constitutions 
and which the Lords Proprietors adopted as the 
constitution of North Carolina. By this document 
the oldest one of the proprietors became palatine, 
or chief ruler of the province. The other proprie- 
tors were given subordinate offices, chancellors, 
stewards, admirals, chamberlains, treasurers, and 
other high sounding titles. Then the settlers were 
to be landgraves, casiques, sachems, and other dig- 
nitaries. Nearly everybody in the province had a 
chance to become a nobleman of some sort, if this 
instrument called the Grand Model should be put 
into operation. 

How the Constitution Failed. — The people of 
North Carolina were contrary enough not to like 
this constitution. Most of them were plain people 
who had no desire to be lords and ladies, nor did 
they like to have such as rulers. They had left 
England, many of them, to escape that very thing. 
So they paid no attention to the new constitution, 
but went on living under the old and giving no 
heed to the titled lords who came to be their gov- 
ernors. The Lords Proprietors changed the con- 
stitution several times in their efifort to make it 
suit the people. In a few years, however, it be- 
came a dead letter and was abolished. 



Proprietary Government. 59 

QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. Where is Lake Drunimond? Where was 

Clarendon? 

2. Where is the Island of Barbadoes? 

3. Where was Jamestown? 

4. Name the eight Lords Proprietors. 

5. For whom was North Carolina named? 

6. What people were already living here when 

the Lords Proprietors took charge? 

7. What inducements were held out to settlers? 

8. Who had the right to make laws for the prov- 

ince? 

9. Who was the first governor? 

10. Name the two counties at that time. 

IL Where and how was Clarendon settled? 

12. When did the first Assembly meet? 

13. What petition was made to the proprietors? 

14. Tell about the death of Governor Drummond. 

15. Who composed the Grand Assembly? What 

were its rights? 

16. Why was North Carolina called "Rogue's 

Harbor?" 

17. What was its law about marriage? The land 

Law? 

18. Who wrote the Fundamental Constitutions? 

19. Why was it unpopular? 

20. Why was it finally abolished? 



60 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER VL 
TROUBLE IN THE ALBEMARLE COLONY. 

A New Governor Chosen. — ^Governor Stephens 
died in 1674. He had been governor of the prov- 
ince for seven years, and administered the affairs 
of his office in a way that gave satisfaction to 
most of the people. As soon as practicable after 
his death, the Assembly met and elected Peter 
Carteret to serve until a governor could be sent 
from England. Cateret was at the time speaker 
of the Assembly and very popular with the set- 
tlers. 

Restlessness in the Colony. — At that time there 
was extreme restlessness in the colony on account 
of some laws that had been made in England re- 
lating to matters in America. One of these laws 
prohibited the colonists from selling their produce 
in any country except England, or from sending 
their goods even to England except in English 
ships. An amendment to that law made the carry- 
ing of products from one colony to another for pur- 
pose of trade liable to a tax. The law without the 
amendment was passed in 1653 and was known as 
the Navigation Act. The amendment was passed 
during the administration of Governor Stephens 
and was the immediate cause of the trouble, for 
the business of North Carolina, at the time, was 



Proprietary Government. 61 

chiefly with New England traders who had been 
coming to Albemarle for several years and had 
been gladly received by the settlers. Trade with 
them was exceedingly profitable and the colonists 
were anxious to continue it. Accordingly they 
raised the standard of revolt and declared that 
their rights as free men were being invaded. 

Eastchurch and Miller. — Thomas Eastchurch 
and Thomas Miller were the leaders in these agi- 
tations. Eastchurch was speaker of the x^ssembly 
and Miller was one of the members. They told 
the governor that he would not be allowed to en- 
force the Navigation Act. Miller declared that he 
would head a rebellion against the governor if the 
latter attempted to cary otit the provisions of the 
law. For this bold speech he was arrested and 
sent to Jamestown for trial. He was shortly after- 
wards, however, released. 

Theachery of Eastchurch. — Meanwhile the As- 
sembly had elected Eastchurch a special mes- 
senger to go to England and complain to the Lords 
Proprietors. When he reached London, East- 
church met up with Miller, who had gone there to 
complain of the treatment he had received from 
Governor Carteret. These two men went with 
their complaints before the Lords Proprietors, but 
instead of condemning the Navigation laws they 
entered into a bargain to enforce them. Thev for- 
got the ugly things they had said in North Caro- 
lina about the Navigation Act, and now promised 
to go back and help compel the colonists to obey 
it. In consideration of these promises, Eastchurch 



62 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

was appointed governor and Miller was made col- 
lector of customs and secretary to the governor. 
Thus these two men, who had been the champions 
of the people, became in a brief time the represen- 
tatives of their oppressors. Loaded with honors 
they soon left England for North Carolina. 

Governor Carteret Resigns His. Office. — Without 
waiting to see what Eastchurch would do in Eng- 
land, Governor Carteret resigned his office and re- 
turned to England. He declared that the people 
of North Carolina were headstrong and unruly. 
Eor some months after .his departure, there was no 
governor of North Carolina. 

Arrival of Miller.^-On the voyage to North Car- 
olina Governor Eastchurch and his secretary stop- 
ped for a few days rest at the island of Nevis in 
the West Indies. While there Eastchurch fell 
deeply in love with a beautiful Creole lady and 
almost forgot that he was governor of North Caro- 
lina. He decided to remain at Nevis to press his 
suit for the fair Creole's affection and send Miller 
on to North Carolina to act as governor, collector 
of customs, and deputy until he should come later. 
Miller came and took charge of the affairs of the 
province in 1677. 

Downfall of Miller. — Soon after his arrival Mil- 
ler began his work as collector as well as his 
duties as acting governor. In a very short while 
he had collected enough revenue to pay himself 
about five thousand dollars in fees. As governor 
he officially announced that the Navigation Act to- 
g^ether with its amendments would be enforced. 



Proprietary Government. 63 

and that the New England traders would have to 
pay the tax according to law. The settlers got 
some of their English blood up and determined 
that Governor and Collector Miller should have 
some trouble in carrying out the law. Eeelings 
ran high. One day a ship from Massachusetts, 
came into the Perquimans River and began to 
unload its cargo and to take on tobacco. Acting 
Governor Miller heard of the arrival of the ship 
and hastened to the scene. He went on board 
with his officers; and when Gillam, the captain, 
refused to pay the tax, he was promptly arrested. 
George Durant, who was present, complained of 
the injustice of the act, and was seized and thrown 
into prison. The settlers were displeased at such 
arbitary display of power and under the leader- 
ship of John Culpeper, who had shortly before 
tied from South Carolina to escape punishment 
for some misdeeds, went to Miller's house, seized 
and locked him up, and turned George Durant 

out. 

Culpeper Becomes Governor. — Miller thus be- 
ing brought to a sudden halt in prison and East- 
church still lingering at Nevis, it became necessary 
for somebody to assume the reins of government. 
The Assembly met and elected John Culpeper 
Deputy Governor and Collector of Customs. Thus 
it was that North Carolina had three governors at 
the same time, one on the island of Nevis, an- 
other in prison, and the third in office. Culpeper 
remained in office for about two years, during 
w^hich time the colonists traded with whomsoever 



64 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

they pleased and the New England traders came 
and went at will. 

Return of Eastchurch. — Meanwhile Governor 
Eastchurch had married the Creole and now re- 
membered that he was governor of North Caro- 
lina. With his bride he left Nevis and came to 
Albemarle in 1679. He was surprised to find that 
a revolution had taken place, Miller in prison, 
and Culpeper reigning in his stead. With the 
boldness, however, of a man with the right on 
his side he ordered the usurper to surrender the 
office, but Culpeper refused to obey. Eastchurch 
then went to Virginia to ask aid. There he found 
many sympathizers who promised to aid him in 
his efforts. In the midst of his preparations, how- 
ever, to return to North Carolina, he was taken 
sick, and soon afterwards died. 

Downfall of Culpeper. — Shortly after the death 
of Eastchurch, Thomas Miller succeeded in mak- 
ing his escape from prison and went to London. 
There before the Lords Proprietors he accused 
Culpeper of rebellion and robbery. Culpeper was 
summoned to England for trial. He obeyed, and 
there surrendered all title to the office of gover- 
nor. He was tried for treason but acquitted. 
Later he went to South Carolina and laid the 
plan for the City of Charleston. In this so called 
Culpeper Rebellion the people of North Carolina 
exhibited the same spirit of resistance to tyranny 
that their descendants did in the Revolution of 
1776. They resisted the enforcement of an un- 



Proprietary Government. 65 

just law, overturned the proprietary government, 
and set up one for themselves, 

QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. Where is New England? London? Nevis? 

2. How long was Samuel Stephens governor of 

North Carolina? 

3. Who succeeded Stephens? 

4. What unjust law was passed in England? 

What amendment? Why unjust? 

5. Who had been trading with the colonists? 

6. What did Eastchurch and Miller do about 

the Navigation Act ? 

7. How did they deceive the people? 

8. What offices were they appointed to? 

9. What did Governor Carteret do? 

10. Why did Eastchurch delay at Nevis? 

11. Whom did he send to North Carolina?, 

12. What did he do on his arrival? 

13. What did the people do? 

14. When Eastchurch came what did he find? 

15. Why did he go to Virginia? 

16. What became of Eastchurch? 

17. How was the trouble between Miller and 

Culpeper settled? 

18. How was this rebellion like the lve\-oluLion 

of 1776? 



66 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER Vn. 
FIVE YEARS OF MISRULE. 

Succession of Several Governors. — For more 
than a year after the Culpeper Rebellion, North 
Carolina got along as best it could without a 
regularly appointed governor. In 1679, however, 
Seth Southwell, who had bought Lord Claren- 
don's share in Carolina, was appointed governor, 
and at once set out for his post of duty. On his 
way across the ocean he was captured by a pirate 
ship and held a prisoner for three years. As soon 
as it became known what had happened to South- 
well, the Lords Proprietors selected John Harvey 
to serve until the pirates should release him. 
Harvey served for about six months and resigned. 
John Jenkins succeeded Harvey, but died in a 
few months and was followed by Henry Wilkinson 
who served until Southwell arrived in 1683. 

Southwell a Bad Governor. — Southwell was re- 
leased by the pirates upon the payment of a 
ransom, and at once came to North Carolina to 
assume his duties. Soon thereafter the people of 
the province had good reason for wishing that the 
pirates had held on to Southwell for good and all, 
for he soon proved to be a very bad man. One of 
his first acts was to break up the trade with the 



Proprietary Government. 67 

New Englanders, which he accomplished by reason 
of the fact that he was not only governor, but a 
Lord Proprietor as well. Next, he ordered the 
settlers to cease all trade with their Indian neigh- 
bors. Although there w^as no law against such 
trade, Southwell ordered it stopped. He then 
secretly began traciing with the Indians himself. 

Seizure of a Merchant Vessel. — One day there 
came into the Pasquotank river a merchant ves- 
sel from Barbadoes. Under the pretext that the 
ship was a pirate's craft Governor Southwell had 
the captain seized and put into prison. It was 
known generally that the vessel was not a pirate 
ship, but no one dared to oppose the governor 
when he sold the cargo and pocketed the money. 

Overthrow of the Tyrant. — Southwell's tyranny 
and bad conduct continued for five years before 
the people rose in rebellion against him. The 
colony had already suffered much from strife, and 
peace at almost any price was greatly desired. At 
last, however, the patience of the settlers became 
exhausted, and they resolved to take matters in 
their own hands. Led by George Durant a con- 
siderable body of the colonists went to the gov- 
ernor's house and demanded that he resign the 
office of governor. On his refusal they seized him 
and locked him up in a covered pen niade of pine 
logs, which was called a jail. Surprised at this 
treatment Southwell asked wdiat they were going 
to do with him. He was told that he was to be 
sent to England for trial. With tears be begged 
that he be tried before the Assembly of the pro- 



68 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

vince, for he was ashamed to be tried in England. 
His request was granted, and in the trial that 
followed he was found guilty of almost every 
crime mentioned in the law books. He was re- 
moved from office and banished for a year. 

Formation of New Precints. — During South- 
well's five years of misrule the precincts of Cur- 
rituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Bertie, and 
Chowan were formed. Before that time the 
entire northeastern part of the province was divid- 
ed into the precints of Carteret, Berkley, and 
Shaftsbury, named in honor of certain ones of the 
Lords Proprietors. Now the three were made 
into four and given Indian names instead. 

Abandonment of Clarendon. — The settlement of 
Charleston in 1670 proved to be the death of the 
Clarendon colony. Settlers on the Cape Fear be- 
gan, soon after that event, to move southward. 
Finally John Yeamans, governor of Clarendon, 
was appointed chief executive of South Carolina, 
and he left the colony on the Cape Fear to take 
up his duties at Charleston. The colonists fol- 
lowed soon afterward, and by 1690 the settlement 
on the Cape Fear had disappeared. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. Who was appointed governor in 1679? What 

happened to him on his way to North Caro- 
lina? 

2. Name the governors that served until South- 

well came? 



Proprietary Government. 69 

3. Tell something of Southwell's arbitary acts. 

4. Relate the story of the merchant vessel. 

5. Give the story of Southwell's downfall. 

6. What precincts were formed during that time? 

7. \\^hv was Clarendon abandoned? 



70 A Child's History of North Carolina, 



CHAPTER Vin. 
• REVOLT OF THE QUAKERS. 

Ludwell Becomes Governor. — After the banish- 
ment of Seth Southwell in 1688, North Carolina 
was without a governor for about a year ; but in 
1689 the Lords Proprietors sent over Philip Lud- 
well to fill the difficult position of governor of 
Albemarle. He proved to be a wise and skillful 
ruler. For four years he was at the head of 
affairs in North Carolina, and managed so well 
that the people liked him and wanted him con- 
tinued in office. A change in the plans of the 
Lords Proprietors, however, brought about a new 
condition of affairs. North and South Carolina 
were united into one province under the name of 
Carolina with the seat of government at Charles- 
ton. Ludwell was made the first governor of 
Carolina and went to Charleston in 1693, where 
he took up his larger duties. 

Lillington and Harvey.^ — Before leaving for 
Charleston, Governor Ludwell appointed Alexan- 
der Lillington deputy governor of North Carolina, 
and entrusted him with the full administration of 
the government of the northern province. Lilling- 
ton attempted to enforce the provisions of the 
Navigation Act, but he had g'ood sense enough to 
give up the attempt when he saw that it was un- 



Proprietary Government. 71 

popular. Not succeeding very well in govern- 
mental affiairs he was removed from office in 1694 
and Thomas Harvey was appointed in his stead. 
The same year Governor Ludwell retired from his 
position as chief-executive of the tw^o Carolinas, 
and in August of that year John Archdale, a Friend 
and one of the Lords Proprietors, was selected for 
that honorable post. Archdale was one of the 
best governors of those early days. He visited the 
province of Albemarle and encouraged the settlers 
in their work, and became in realit}^ a friend and 
helper of the people. He continued Thomas Har- 
vey as deputy governor, a man wise enough not 
to attempt to enforce the Navigation Act, nor to 
try to influence commercial conditions. 

Five Years Without a Governor. — Thomas Har- 
vey died in 1699, and for five years North Carolina 
seems to have been neglected by the Lords Pro- 
prietors and the governor at Charleston, for no 
deputy governor was appointed for that time. 
There was now about six thousand people living 
in North Carolina. Henderson Walker, a lawyer 
of ability living in Albemarle, was president of 
the Assembly, and by virtue of his office became 
acting governor. Walker was one of the best 
rulers that Albemarle had yet had. During the 
five years of his wise and considerate rule the 
province grew and prospered as never before. In 
the midst of large plans, however, for the colony, 
he died in 1704 at the early age of forty-four. 

Establishing a Church. — During Henderson 
\\\'ilker's administration, there had been consid- 



72 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

erable agitation relative to the establishment of 
the Church of England as the State church in 
North Carolina. There was much opposition to 
it, for most of the people were what were called 
dissenters, people who did not hold to the doc- 
trines of the Church of England. Robert Daniel 
who had been appointed governor was a great 
church-man and greatly desired to have the Church 
of England made the church of the province. 
Under his influence the Assembly passed a law 
setting aside a certain part of the revenue of the 
colony for the support of the ministry of the es- 
tablished church and to build parish houses. This 
act, in effect, made the Church of England (the 
Episcopal) the established church of North Caro- 
lina. The law, however, had to be approved by 
the Lords Proprietors and the Soverign of Eng- 
land. Governor Daniel was highly pleased at his 
success in having a tax levied for the support of 
the ministry, but he found out that making a law 
and making the people obey were dift'erent things. 
The Law Strongly Opposed. — At that time the 
majority of the people in the province were 
Friends, or Quakers, Presbyterians, and Baptists. 
All of these united in opposing the law. Governor 
Daniel, however, had parishes established, churches 
built, and taxes levied, notwithstanding the fact 
that the law had not been approved in England and 
the people in Albemarle were bitterly opposed to 
it. The Friends, who were the most outspoken 
in their opposition to the governor's demands, de- 
clared that they would neither pay the tax nor 



Proprietary Government. 73 

rcco.^nizc the Church of England in any way 
whatever. 

Mission of Edmund Porter. — Governor Daniel 
declared his purpose to force the collection of the 
taxes and the obedience of the people. The dis- 
senters, however, resolved to fight the law to the 
bitter end ; and for that purpose sent Edmund 
Porter to England as a special ambassador to the 
Eords Proprietors. Porter appeared before the 
Eords and urged them to disapprove the law, but 
that honorable body was not ready to act. He 
then laid the matter before the British parliament, 
and that body by a resolution declared that the 
laAV was contrary to the charter of the province, 
oppressive, and should be repealed. Porter was 
energetic enough to bring the matter also to the 
attention of Queen Anne, who was then on the 
English throne. She became interested and pro- 
nounced the law null and void, giving it as her 
opinion that the people of North Carolina were 
riL'ht in resisting it. 

Removal of Daniel From Office. — Pxlmund Por- 
ter, after getting the annulment of the church law, 
petitioned the Lords I^'oprietors for the removal 
of Governor Daniel fvnm office, giving as his 
reason that the unwise activity of that officer in 
trving to enforce a law before it had been ap- 
pro\ cd at headquarters had rendered him ex- 
trceipK- unpopular in North Carolina. His argu- 
ment soon bore fruit, for shortly thereafter Daniel 
wns recalled and Thomas Carey put in his place. 

Extension of Settlements. — During these troub- 



74 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

lous times, new settlements had been made in 
different parts of the province. South of Albe- 
marle Sound and on the Pamlico River prosperous 
communities had sprung up. The town of Bath, 
the oldest in the State, was incorporated in 1705. 
The country on both sides of the Pamlico was 
being rapidly populated. As far west as the 
Neuse River bold pioneers had found their way 
and were planting the seeds of a vigorous com- 
munity. Newbern was settled in 1710 by a col- 
ony of Swiss refugees from the neighborhood of 
Berne, the capital of Switzerland. A colony of 
German Palatines also, under the Baron de Graf- 
fenreid, joined the Swiss on the Neuse traveling 
through the country from Virginia, where they 
landed, and the two peoples laid the foundation 
of a community that soon came to be the leading 
one in the province, 

QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. Point out Charleston; Bath; Newbern. 

2. Trace the course of the Neuse river; the 

Pamlico. 

3. Who was appointed governor in 1688? How 

was he liked? 

4. What law did Lillington fail to enforce? 

5. How long was the colony without a gover- 

nor? Who was at the head of the affairs 
at that time? 

6. What church did Governor Daniel attempt 

to establish in North Carolina? 



Proprietary Government. 75 

7. Give an account of his effort and the result. 

8. Tell of Porter's mission to England and what 

he accomplished. 

9. Give an account of the settlements made dur- 

ing this time. 



16 A Child's History of North Caroling. 



Chapter ix. 

"THE GOVERNORS AND THE PEOPLE. 

Governor Carey Offends the People. — Change of 
governors brought no relief to the people of North 
Carolina. Governor Carey soon showed that he 
was no better than Daniel, for he offended a large 
number of the settlers worse than they had ever 
been before. He seemed specially hostile to the 
Friends ; for rto sooner had he become governor 
than he revived an old law, that had become ob- 
solete, which required every man elected to a 
public office to take the oath of allegiance to 
(Jueen Anne. All that seemed good enough to 
do, but it was against the religious scruples of the 
Friends to take an oath at all. They claimed the 
right to hold up the right hand and affirm. That, 
however, did not suit Governor Carey, and so he 
announced that they would have either to take 
the oath or give up the offices. But the Friends 
were as headstrong in this as Governor Carey was, 
and continued to hold the offices to which they 
had been elected. 1 his angered Carey very much 
and he made up his mind to bring the rebellious 
people to terms. 

Non-Collection of Fines. — Carey was determin- 
ed to enforce the law. He, therefore, levied a 
fine of five pounds, or twenty-five dollars, upon 



Proprietary Government. 77 

every officer who had not taken the oath ; but he 
could not collect the fines. The office-holders 
would neither pay the fines nor give up the offices, 
and so the trouble had deepened. 

Ambassador John Porter.' — At that time there 
was an able and well known man living in North 
Carolina named John Porter, who was leading the 
people in their opposition to the unjust demands 
of Governor Carey. Porter was severe in de- 
nouncing Carey and said that he should be im- 
peached. Most of the people agreed with Porter 
and sent him to England as a special messenger 
to petition the Lords Proprietors for the removal 
of Carey from affice. Porter succeeded not only 
in having Carey removed but also in getting" 
authority to convene the Council for the election 
of his successor. Thus the colonial messenger 
returned clothed with more power than had ever 
been given to anybody in North Carolina before. 
He was authorized to turn out one go\ernor and 
to put in another. 

Election of William Glover.— The council met 
and elected William (ilover, a member of the 
Church of l^^.ngland. (dover was, at that time, 
living in North Carolina and was well known to 
most of the people ; but after assuming the gov- 
ernorship lie showed no disposition to end the 
troubles. He was as urgent as Carey had been 
in enforcing the law about oath-taking and tried 
to force the collection of fines. The dissenters 
were much disappointed in him and denounced 
him for his seeming treachery. 



78 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Governor Glover Deposed by the Assembly.— 

John Porter was very much disturbed over the 
situation, and demanded an election of delegates 
by the people to which body the question of the 
chief magistracy should be referred. When the 
delegates met, Porter went before them and 
bitterly denounced Glover, and declared his elec- 
tion illegal. The Assembly took a vote upon 
the question and by a large majority declared the 
election illegal, thus deposing Glover and declar- 
ing the office vacent. The Assembly went fur- 
ther and re-elected Thomas Carey to the vacancy, 
probably by the influence of John Porter and 
Edward Moseley, who had doubtless come to 
some agreement with Carey, as to his future con- 
duct toward the Friends. 

Two Governor's at the Same Time. — Although 
Glover had been voted out, he refused to sur- 
render the office, declaring that the action of the 
Assembly in deposing him was rebellion and trea- 
son. Without heeding Glover's words, Carey also 
began to perform the duties of governor. Thus 
North Carolina had two governors at the same 
time each claiming to be the rightful chief exe- 
cutive. Things looked squally and civil war was 
threatened. 

Two Assemblies Convene. — It was thought best 
to refer the matter to the people. Governor Glo- 
ver issued a proclamation calling for the election 
of another Assembly. Governor Carey also issued 
a call for an election. The voting took place all 
over the province on the same day and when the 
votes were counted it was seen that a majority of 



Proprietary Government. 79 

Glover delegates had been chosen. Edward 
Moseley, a strong supporter of Carey, charged 
that the election in some precincts was fraudu- 
lent ; and demanded that another election be held. 
Glover was satisfied with the result and refused 
to order another election, but Carey and his party 
held a second election and chose delegates from 
all the precincts. Hence there were two sets of 
delegates and consequently two assemblies meet- 
ing at the same time and place. Carey's As- 
sembly elected Edward Moseley speaker and pro- 
ceeded to business. The law reviving the test 
oath was repealed, and the deposition of Glover 
was declared legal. The other Assembly met in 
another room of the same house and reaffirmed 
the election of (ilover and condemned Carey and 
his adhearents. 

Flight of Glover. — Shortly after the adjourn- 
ment of the two Assemblies, matters hastened to 
a crisis and armed conflicts were narrowly averted. 
Seeing that the Carey party was aggressive and 
numerous, Governor Glover thought it prudent to 
retire to Virginia. Colonel Thomas Pollock, an 
earnest adherent of Glover, and other supporters 
thinking their li\es in danger, fled also from the 
province and sought refuge in Virginia. Carey 
and his party were left in quiet possession of the 
government, which they administered without in- 
terruption until 1710. 

Coming of Governor Hyde. — Edward Hyde was 
sent over as deputy-governor in 1710. He ex- 
pected to get his commission from Governor Tynte 



80 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

at Charleston, but when he arrived he was dis- 
tressed to find that Tynte had died shortly before. 
Hyde was, therefore, a governor without a com- 
mission, and in the troublous condition of affairs 
he hesitated about taking charge. Carey, how- 
ever, agreed to vacate the office and allow Hyde 
to take control. Governor Hyde was gladly wel- 
comed by the people, for all felt that his coming 
would put an end to the troubles of the province. 
Carey promised obedience and friendship. Glover 
was but too glad to surrender his title to an empty 
honor. 

Action of the Assembly. — Early in 1711 Gover- 
nor Hyde called the Assembly together. Carey 
became alarmed at this call, for it was generally 
understood that the Assembly would call the last 
administration to account for its management of 
public matters. The Assembly met in March and 
immediately ordered the arrest of Carey, but the 
ex-governor refused to surrender. Governor Hyde 
sent officers to seize and bring him to trial. Carey 
prepared to resist and fortified his house, mount- 
ing two cannons at his front door. 

Downfall of Carey. — The governor didn't go at 
once to take Carey by force, and the delay made 
Carey bold. He proclaimed himself governor for 
the third time, and issued a proclamation ordering 
Hyde to leave the province forthwith or he would 
come and hang him. Governor Hyde did not be- 
come at all alarmed, but quietly continued to ex- 
ercise the duties of his office. Carey attempted 
to take Governor Hyde by force ; but seeine that 



Proprietary Government. 81 

Hyde was prepared to greet him with powder and 
ball, he retreated to his fortifications. Soon there- 
after Governor Hyde went in search of Carey, but 
the latter fled to Virginia with a number of his 
adherents. At Jamestown he and John Porter 
were arrested on a charge of treason and sent to 
England for trial. They were, however, after- 
wards released without trial and returned to North 
Carolina. Thus ended the Carey rebellion, which 
had been the source of much trouble for several 
years. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. How did Carey offend the Friends? 

2. What did Carey do about fines? ^ Did he col- 

lect the fines? 

3. Who was John Porter? Why did he go to 

England? Success? 

4. Who was elected governor when Porter re- 

turned? 

5. How did the new governor treat the Friends? 
6.- How did Carey again become governor? 

7. How were there two governors at the same 

time? 

8. What was done by the two Assemblies? 

9. Why did Glover flee to Virginia? 

10. What did Carey do when (Governor Hyde 

came over? 

11. Tell the story of the conflict between Hyde 

and Carey. 

12. What was done with Carey and Porter? 



82 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER X. 
THE TUSCARORA WAR. 

Plot to Destroy the Colony. — While the people 
of Albemarle were quarreling among themselves ' 
about the test oath and the establishment of a 
State church, the crafty Tuscarora Indians were 
plotting to destroy the entire colony. Thinking 
it was a good time to attack the colonists while 
thus divided, the savage chiefs agreed among 
themselves to fall upon the outlying settlements 
in various places at sunrise on September 22, 1711, 
and massacre every living being. 

Murder of John Lawson. — Some time before the 
fatal day arrived a cruel thing happened on the 
Neuse river not far from Newbern. John Law- 
son, the surveyor-general of the province, and 
Baron de Graffenreid, the leader of the German 
and Swiss colony at Newbern, went up the Neuse 
river some twenty miles on a hunting trip. They 
did not know that the Indians had planned to set 
out upon the war-path, and were taken by sur- 
prise when the savages swooped down upon them, 
overpowered and carried them away as prisoners 
to their chief, Handcock, in the forests of what 
is now Greene County. The Indians specially 
hated Lawson, because they thought he sold their 
lands to the w^hite settlers ; and after sticking 



Proprietary Government. 83 

lightwood splinters into his body and tying him to 
a stake, they burned him to death in a most horri- 
ble manner. At the same time and in the same 
manner, Lawson's negro slave was burned in sight 
of his master. 

Escape of de Graffendreid. — Baron de GrafiPen- 
reid would doubtless have shared the same fate, 
but for his thoughtfulness in telling the Indians 
that he was king of the settlement at Newbern. 
The red men agreed to let him go on condition 
that he would buy no more of the Indians land, 
nor take part in the war about to begin. De Graf- 
ienreid was glad enough to make those promises, 
and he was allowed to go free. 

The Massacre of Settlers.— At sunrise, Septem- 
ber 22, according to the well conceived plan, six- 
teen hundred Tuscarora warriors fell upon the 
unsuspecting colonists on the Roanoke, the Cho- 
wan, the Pamlico, and the Neuse rivers, and slew 
about two hundred men, women and children in 
the most merciless manner. vSome of the colonists 
escaping from the first attack, fled to the swamps 
and were afterwards hunted down and slain, or 
died of starvation in the solitude of the wilderness 
before assistance could reach them. Nearly all 
of the frontier settlements staggered under this 
stunning blow which was the most disastrous 
that had ever befallen the province. The attack 
was all the more terrible because no one was ex- 
pecting it, as the settlers seemed to ha\ e been on 
the very best of terms with the Indians c\en re- 
ceiving the treacherous foes in their homes on the 



B4 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

most friendly terms the evening before the blow 
was struck. At once a cry of vengeance went up 
from the surviving colonists, and there was a 
settled determination in the hearts of all to drive 
the murderous tribe from the province. 

Governor Hyde Appeals for Aid. — On account 
of the long strife that the colony had just passed 
through and the destruction wrought by the mas- 
sacre, Governor Hyde was unable to collect a suffi- 
cient body of men to face the Indians in the field. 
He, therefore, dispatched messengers to Virginia 
and South Carolina to ask aid, and, in the mean- 
time, organized the militia, and made as exten- 
sive preparation as his means would allow. Gov- 
ernor Spottswood of Virginia, owing to the fail- 
ure of the house of Burgesses to appropriate 
money for the war, did not respond ; but South 
Carolina responded. Colonel John Barnwell was 
put in command of one hundred white men and 
several hundred friendly Indians, and sent in haste 
to North Carolina, arriving, after a long and toil- 
Some journey, in January, 1712. 

Defeat of the Tuscaroras. — Colonel Louis Mit- 
chell with a North Carolina regiment joined Barn- 
well at Newbern. The two leaders now thought 
themselves strong enough to attack the Indians 
and set out at once in search of them. Handcock, 
the chief of the Tuscaroras, had gathered together 
his warriors in a strong fort in the western part 
of what is now Craven County about twenty miles 
from Newbern, and there awaited the coming of 
the whites. Barnwell and Mitchell came into the 



Proprietary Government, 85 

neighborhood of the fort on the 28th of January. 
The Indians marched out of the fort and attacked 
the whites, but wore driven back with the loss of 
about three hundred killed and wounded. Colo- 
nel Barnwell then laid close seige to the fort, and 
soon had the savages begging for quarter. Colo- 
nel Mitchell had already made a breach in the 
wall with his artillery when he was ordered by 
Barnwell to cease firing. Without further blood- 
shed the stronghold was surrendered, but to the 
astonishment of all. Colonel Barnwell allowed the 
Indians to march out with the honors of war. 

Colonel Barnwell Condemned. — Colonel Barn- 
well was severely condemned by the people of 
North Carolina for this seeming act of Cowardice. 
Colonel Mitchell afterwards said that he could 
easily have captured the fort had he been allowed 
to do so. Barnwell entered into a treaty of peace 
with Handcock, which, however, the Indians were 
not slow to break. In justification of Colonel 
Barnwell it is said that he agreed to the terms of 
the treaty in order to save a number of white 
prisoners in the hands of Handcock. 



QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. Point out Green County on the map. 

2. Point out Craven County. 

3. What were the Tuscaroras doing while the 

whites were quarreling among themselves? 

4. What was the plot? 



86 A Child's History of North Caroh'na. 

5. Tell the story of the adventure of Jahn Law-' 

Son and de Grafifenreid. 

6. Tell the story of the massacre. 

7. What did the colonists resolve to do? 

8. Of whom did Cjovernor Hyde ask aid? 

9. Who came from South Carolina? 

10. Who joined him at Newbern? 

11. Tell the story of the defeat of the Indians. 

12. Why was Barnwell condemned and what 

reason is given for his con-duct? 



Proprietary Government. 87 



CHAPTER XI. 
END OF THE INDIAN WAR. 

Tuscaroras Break the Treaty. — Soon after the 
capture of the Indian fort, the South Carolina In- 
dians returned home to celebrate the funeral of 
those of their number that had been slain in bat- 
tle. Colonel Barnwell also left for Charleston, 
leaving no troops in North Carolina except the 
few under Colonel Mitchell stationed at Newbern. 
The Tuscaroras seeing their opportunity immed- 
iately renewed the war, falling upon the remote 
settlements and butchering men, w^omen, and child- 
ren. It is not known how many were slain in 
these irregular and merciless attacks. 

Hurried Preparations for War. — As soon as it 
becane known that Handcock and his braves had 
again taken up the scalping knife. Governor Hyde 
began to make larger preparations than ever for 
the successful carrying on of the war. He called 
the Assembly together in March, 1712, and that 
body immediately voted four thousand pounds as 
a war fund, and passed an act requiring all able 
bodied men to take up arms for the public defense. 
There was a grim determination this time not to 
end the conflict until the hostile tribe had been ex- 
terminated. Governor Hyde assembled the mili- 



8g A Child's History of North Carolina, 

tia of the province and dispatched messengers to 
Virginia and South Carolina for aid. 

The Friendly Indians. — Several tribes of In- 
dians refused to join the Tuscaroras in their w^ar 
upon the w^hites. Even some of the Tuscaroras 
themselves took no part in the conflict. Tom 
Blunt, one of the most noted chiefs of the band 
living in what is now Washington and Beaufort 
counties, had advised Handcock against going into 
War, but that bloodthirsty chief refused the advice. 
Blunt, however, remained friendly to the settlers. 

Aid from South Carolina.- — As in the previous 
year, South Carolina alone responded to the calf 
for aid. Governor Craven of that province replied 
that he would send a thousand men. Governor 
Spottswood of Virginia held in check the Indians 
in that province as they had begun to show signs 
of going to the aid of the Tuscaroras in North 
Carolina. Further than that Virginia ofifered no 
aid. 

Death of Governor Hyde. — In the summer of 
1712 a scourge of yellow fever broke out in the 
colony, and hundreds died from the disease. 
Among the victims was Governor Hyde, who died 
on the eighth of September. His death was a 
calamity to the province. Four days after the 
death of the governor, the council met and elected 
Colonel Thomas Pollock to the vacancy. Colonel 
Pollock was, perhaps, the ablest man in the prov- 
ince and the one best fitted for the position. He 
entered at once upon the duties of the office and 
*ioon inspired courage and confidence among the 



Proprietary Government. S9 

Inthcrto disheartened colonists. He visited every 
part of the province and revived hope and deter- 
mination in the bosom of the people. He got into 
touch with the friendly Indians and not only kept 
them on peaceful terms, but even in some instan- 
ces succeeded in getting them to take up arms 
against the hostile tribes. 

Treaty with Tom Blunt.' — Governor Pollock vis- 
ited Tom Blunt and persuaded him to join in the 
war against Handcock and his tribe. The wary 
chief did not like to fight against his own people, 
but Pollock promised him lands on the Pamlico 
sound and the title of king after the war was over, 
if he would enlist in the service of the colony. 
Finally Blunt consented, but requested that he 
might make war only upon the Matchepungoe; 
around Mattamusket lake, the Corees of Carteret 
county, and the Catechneys of the upper Neuse 
river; for he said that he could not bring destruc- 
tion upon his own people. This request was 
granted and he and his Tuscaroras rendered good 
service in that trying time. 

Building of Forts. — Governor Pollock had forts 
built in various sections of the province as pro- 
tection for the settlers against the Indians. One 
was built on Core sound near the present town of 
Beaufort, manned by thirty men, and named Fort 
Hyde in honor of the late governor. Another was 
built on the Tar ri\er in the present county of 
Edgecombe and garrisoned b\' t^n men. l>lock- 
houses and palisades were ere 'led at many places 



&0 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

to furnish refuge for the colonists in thiics of 
danger. 

Handcock and his braves had ako built twd 
forts, one in what is now Greene County, near the 
present town of S^now Hill, and another twenty 
miles farther north. These fortes were called 
"Nahucke" and "Cahul1che'^ In these two strong- 
holds had been placed all the valuables of the tribe, 
together with the women, children, and old men. 

South Carolina Troops Arrive.* — In December 
the soldiers from South Carolina arrived in New- 
bern, one thousand Yamassee Indians and fifty 
white men under the command of Colonel James 
Moore. On account of the scarcity of provisions 
in the Neuse settlements, the reg'iment was win- 
tered in Albemarle. 

Attack on Fort Nahucke. — Early in February, 
1713, Colonel 'Moore moved from Albemarle 
against Fort Nahucke. After delaying at Fort 
Reading for some days,- the little army came to 
the Indian country about the middle of March. 
The savages retired before the whites and 
sought the protection of their palisades. Colo- 
nel Moore laid close siege to the fort on the 
20th of March, and made several assaults upon 
the Indian stronghold, but without success. Fin- 
ally, however, the South Carolina Indians burst 
into the fort and engaged the Tuscaroras in a 
hand to hand conflict. Handcock, seeing that all 
was lost, broke through the ranks of his enemies, 
and, followed by a portion of his warriors, fl-^d to 
Fort Cahuncke. The remainder of the Indian ear- 



Proprietary Government. ^1 

Hson, about eight hundred in all, surrendered. 
AbouVtwo hundred had been killed in the attack. 
Colonel Moore lost about fifty killed and one hun- 
dred wounded. 

Tuscaroras Driven from the Province. — Moore- 
followed up his success by marching at once upon 
Fort Cahuncke. The Indians, however, did not 
await his arrival; but fled in haste further up the' 
Neuse river. Handcock and the remnant of hisi 
tribe continued their flight through Virginia, Mary- 
land, and Pennsylvania to Mew York, where they 
joined their kinsmen, the Iroquois, making the 
sixth nation of that confederacy. Thus was North 
Carolina rid of the hostile Tuscaroras, none but 
Blunt and his band remaining in the province. 



QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. Locate Washington and Beaufort Counties. 

2. Where is MattamUskeet lake? Carteret 

County? 

3. Point out Core soUnd ; Beaufort; Edgecombe' 

County. 

4. Locate Greene County ; Snow Hill. 

5. What did Colonel Barnwell do after the cap- 

ture of the fort? 

6. Why did the Tuscaroras renew the war? 

7. How did (lovernor Hyde get ready for war? 

8. What Indians were friendly? Who was Toni 

Blunt? 

9. What did 0)vern()r Craven promise? 



92 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

10. What was the fatal result of the yellow fever 

scourge? 

11. Who succeeded Governor Hyde? 

12. Relate his dealings with Tom Blunt. 

13. What Forts were built? Why built? 

14. Where were the Indian forts? 

15. What troops came from South Carolina? 

16. Where did they winter? 

17. Tell the story of the capture of Fort Nahucke. 

18. What were the losses on each side? 

19. What became of Handcock and the remnant 

of his tribe? 

20. What Indians remained in the province? 



Proprietary Government. 93 



CHAPTER XII. 
RECOVERY FROM THE INDIAN WAR. 

Colonel Moore Returns Home. — After the fall 
of Fort Nahucke the vSouth Carolina Indians loaded 
with spoils returned home. Colonel Moore de- 
layed his going long enough to check a rising 
among the tribes on the shores of the Pamlico 
sound and to allay the discontent of the natives 
in what is now Beaufort, Craven, and Carteret 
counties, when he, too, returned to Charleston after 
having received the thanks of a grateful people. 
The war had been brought to a successful con- 
clusion and peace was now assured. 

King Blunt. — In consideration of his services 
against the hostile tribes in the war just closed, 
Tom Blunt was granted by the Assembly a large 
tract of land on the Pamlico river and proclaimed 
king of all the Indians that remained in that part 
of the province. Governor Pollock was glad to 
honor, in this way, the faithful chief who had re- 
duced to subjection the warlike Cotechneys and 
Matchcpungos. Shortly afterward, however. 
Blunt's reservation was changed from the Pamlico 
to the Roanoke. A beautiful tract of land on the 
banks of the latter river was selected and alloted 
to the friendly Indians. Here they dwelt man}^ 
years in peace with their white neighbors, but later 



94 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

sold all their possessions and moved to the Great 
Lakes, where they joined the other Tuscaroras who 
had gone before. King Blunt lived to be an old 
man and always maintained friendly relations with 
the whites. The reservation on which he lived 
in Bertie county is still called the "Indian Woods." 

Bills of Credit Issued. — When the Assembly met 
in 1713 it was seen that the province was heavily 
in debt. The Lords Proprietors had failed to fur- 
nish the money needed to pay the expenses of the 
war, and Governors Hyde and Pollock had been 
compelled to borrow the necessary funds. The 
promise to pay when the war ended was now be- 
ginning to give no little trouble. To relieve the 
situation, the Assembly voted to issue bills of 
credit to the amount of forty thousand dollars. It 
was the first paper money ever issued in North 
Carolina and was a legal tender only in the pay- 
ment of claims growing out of the war. 

New Governor Sent Over. — In July, 1713, the 
Lords Proprietors appointed Charles Eden gover- 
nor. In the spring of the following year he arrived 
from England and at once began his duties. 
Among other things he was instructed not to allow 
settlements to be made more than twenty miles 
west of the Neusc and Trent rivers. In this way 
the Lords Proprietors sought to prevent an ex- 
pansion of the province. Ever since the time of 
the Carey rebellion the Proprietors had taken no 
special interest in the colony. Their profits in 
rents wxre small and they consequently were in- 



Proprietary Government. 95 

different as to the welfare of a people that seemed 
so rebellious. In quit rents, only about six thous- 
and dollars were annually collected, and, after pay- 
ing expenses, each Proprietor received only about 
one hundred dollars. As might be supposed, there- 
fore, they cared very little about the welfare of the 
province. Even during the Indian war they paid 
no attention to (jovernor Pollock's appeal for aid. 
Their appointment, therefore, of a governor at this 
time and instructions to him to limit the growth 
of the settlements did not meet with hearty ap- 
proval. 

Indian War in South Carolina. — In 1715 a terri- 
ble Indian war broke out in South Carolina. The 
Yamassees, who had fought under Barnwell and 
Moore against the Tuscaroras, now entered into 
a plot to destroy the southern colony. Without 
warning they fell furiously upon the scattered set- 
tlements on the frontier, and in a few days massa- 
cred about four hundred people. Governor Craven 
appealed to North Carolina for aid. Governor Eden 
was quick to respond and sent Colonel Maurice 
Moore with a regiment of militia to the relief of 
the distress'^d and terrified settlers. Colonel Moore 
had come from South Carolina with Colonel James 
Moore in 1713, but after the Tuscarora war he 
remained and became a resident of North Carolina. 
He now aided in reducing the Yamassees to 
submission, and was afterward thanked bv a vote 
of the South Carolina Legislature and rewarded by 
a gift of five hundred dollars in gold. Later he 
was prominent in the third and successful attempt 



96 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

to settle the Cape Fear country, which occurred in 
1722. 

More Paper Money Issued. — At the session of 
the Assembly in 1715 a bill was passed ordering 
the issue of one hundred thousand dollars in cur- 
rency, which was made legal tender except in pay- 
ment of quit rents. At the same session the 
Church of F2ngland was made by law the estab- 
lished church of the province. It was provided, 
however, that there should be no tax for the sup- 
port of the church and there was to be full liberty 
of conscience. The test oath, which had been a 
dead letter ever since the Carey rebellion, was now 
abolished. Thus were compromised two matters 
that had given serious trouble for over ten years. 

Edward Moseley. — Edward Moseley was, at that 
time, one of the ablest men in the province. He 
was a skillful lawyer and a shrewd politician. For 
many years he was speaker of the Assembly and 
the leader of the people in their resistance to the 
unjust laws of the Proprietors. Along with others 
he claimed that the Lords Proprietors ought to 
receive their quit-rents in the paper money of the 
colony, instead of insisting upon payments in gold 
and silver. To present this claim to their lord- 
ships a committee, consisting of Edward Moseley, 
John Porter, the younger William Swann, and 
others, was sent to England, but their mission was 
a failure as the Proprietors refused to hear them. 
Returning to America, however, Moseley kept up 
the agitation. Together with Colonel Maurice 
Moore he went, in 1718, to Edenton. then the Caoi- 



Proprietary Government. 97 

tal of the province, and took by force some papers 
from the governor's office. For this act of tres- 
pass Moseley and Moore v^ere arrested. Moore 
w^as released, but Moseley, w^ho had also said 
some harsh w^ords about the governor, was brought 
to trial, convicted, fined, and debarred from prac- 
ticing \3.w in the province. 

Edenton. — The town that had grown up near 
the mouth of Queen Anne's Creek was named 
Edenton in honor of Governor Eden. It early 
became the capital of the province and the most 
important town. 



QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. Locate the Trent river; Queen Anne's Creek, 

Edenton. 

2. When did Colonel Moore return to Charles- 

ton? 

3. How was Tom Blunt rewarded for his ser- 

vices? 

4. Why were bills of credit issued? What 

amount? 

5. Who was appointed governor in 1713? 

6. What instructions did he have from the Pro- 

prietors? 

7. Why were the Proprietors careless about 

afifairs in the pro\'ince? 

8. How did North Carolina repay South Caro- 

lina for her aid in the Tuscarora war? 

9. What other bills of credit were issued? 



98 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

10. How was the church question settled? The 

test oath? 

11. Who was Edward Moseley and for what was 

he noted? 

12. What was the result of his mission to Eng- 

land? 

13. For what were Moseley and Moore arrested? 

The result? 

14. What is said of Edenton? 



Proprietary Government, 99 



CHAPTER XIII. 
THE PIRATE BLACKBEARD AND OTHERS. 

Extent of Piracy. — During the latter part of the 
seventeenth and the beginning of the eighteenth 
century, North Carolina waters were infested by 
bold and blood-thirsty buccaneers. Chief among 
these terrors of the sea were Steed Bonnet, Rich- 
ard Worley, and Edward Teach. The Island of 
Providence in the West Indies was their trysting 
place, whence they set out upon their piratical 
cruises and whither they returned after their ad- 
ventures upon the deep. In 1717 Captain Woods 
Rogers, commanding a squadron of the English 
Navy, attacked the pirates at Providence, killing 
and capturing some and putting others to flight. 
Bonnet, Worley and Teach, with their crews, fled 
in haste to the waters of North Carolina, Bonnet 
and Worley making their headquarters in the 
lower Cape Pear river and Teach in the Pamlico 
sound. From about 1717 to 1720 these bold cor- 
sairs made shipping on the coast of North Caro- 
lina an exceedingly hazardous undertaking. 

Death of Steed Bonnet. — Steed Bonnet, with a 
brave and enterprising band of adventurers, con- 
fined his depredations largely to the coast of South 
Carolina, and was especially troublesome to the 
people of that province. At length Captain Wil- 



100 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Ham Rhett was sent from Charleston with a sloop 
of war in pursuit of him. Bonnet was overtaken 
in the Cape Fear, and in the battle which followed 
he was captured with thirty of his men, all of 
whom were carried to Charleston and forthwith 
hanged. 

Worley Captured and Executed. — Near the close 
of 1717, Governor Johnson, of South Carolina, went 
in search of Worley and found him just outside 
the bar of Charleston. The governor in his man- 
of-war gave the pirate battle, and after a desper- 
ate conflict succeeded in capturing Worley and 
the survivors of his crew, the greater number of 
whom having been killed in the battle. Worley 
himself was dangerously wounded, and for fear 
that the gallows would be cheated, the governor 
immediately ordered him, along with other pris- 
oners, to be hanged. 

Black Beard. — The most daring and cruel of 
these freebooters yet remained. Edward Teach, 
well-known as Black Beard, was carrying on his 
villianies in the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. 
This bold and bad man was a native of Bristol, 
England. At first he was a privateer, but later 
entered upon his career as a pirate. He wore long 
hair and a jet black beard which covered his chest. 
When on a cruise he plaited his long beard and 
wound it round his ears. To the ends of the 
plaits he fastened candles, which he lighted at 
night when going into battle in order to make 
himself look frightful to his enemies. 

Capture of Samuel Wragg. — Black Beard's 



Proprietary Government. 101 

boat, named "Queen Anne's Revenge," mounted 
forty guns and had a crew of one hundred men. 
Cruising off the coast of South Carolina in the 
summer of 1718, he captured a merchant vessel 
upon which Samuel Wragg, a member of the 
South Carolina council, was a passenger. He 
took from Mr. Wragg all the money he had, about 
six thousand dollars, and held him for ransom. 
A little later Black Beard sent four of his men to 
Charleston and demanded of the governor a chest 
of medicine, threatening to send Mr. Wragg's 
head to the governor by breakfast time next day 
unless the medicine was sent. The chest of med- 
ecine was prepared and dispatched to the pirate 
to save Mr. Wragg's head. 

Teach Gives Up His Piracy. — Soon after that 
exploit Teach, tiring of piracy, sold his stolen 
goods, disbanded his crew, and went to Edenton 
and claimed from Governor Eden the royal par- 
don, which had recently been extended to all 
pirates who would give up their evil ways. The 
pardon was granted, and buying a farm near 
Bath, he settled down and married his thirteenth 
wife. 

Capture of a French Ship. — Black Beard was 
not satisfied as a land lubber. He, therefore, 
bought a ship, manned it, and went again to the 
high seas. Soon he returned having in tow a 
Erench ship loaded with sugar and cocoa, claim- 
ing that he had found the ship adrift at sea. It 
was fully believed that he had captured the ship. 



102 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

but the court of admiralty, sitting at Bath, award- 
ed it to Teach as a lawful prize. It was said that 
Tobias Knight, the justice who tried the case, 
was given a part of the cargo as reward for his 
decision. He was afterwards indicted on a charge 
of accepting bribes from Black Beard, but ac- 
quitted on account of the lack of evidence. 

Death of Black Beard. — Throwing off the dis- 
guise. Black Beard became again a full fledged 
pirate. Merchant-men feared to venture upon the 
sea and commerce was almost entirely cut off. 
At length, in the fall of 1718, Captain Ellis Brand, 
commanding the royal fleet in Hampton Roads, 
Va., sent Lieutenant Maynard with a sloop of war 
to capture the pirate ship and destroy the crew. 
Maynard came into the Pamlico sound in the 
latter part of November and found the pirates 
near Teach's Hole at Ocracoke. Immediately the 
two ships became engaged in deadly conflict. 
Maynard endeavored to run along side of Black 
Beard, but the latter poured into the former sev- 
eral broadsides, which killed about twenty of 
Maynard's men. Maynard's ship ran aground and 
stuck fast. Black Beard came up along side and 
prepared to take possession, thinking that his 
enemies were all either dead or wounded. May- 
nard, however, had ordered his men to conceal 
themselves in the hold and be ready to strike the 
pirates as soon as they boarded. Black Beard, 
followed by about twenty of his men, leaped on 
board, but were met by Maynard and his heroic 
crew; and after a fierce hand to hand conflict 



Proprietary Government. 103 

Black Beard was slain and all his crew either 
killed or captured. 

Destruction of Piracy.— Black Beard's head was 
cut off, put upon the bow of Maynard's vessel, 
and carried first to Bath and afterwards to Vir- 
ginia as a trophy of victory. The prisoners were 
tried and hanged. Thus piracy in North Caro- 
lina was stamped out. 



QUESTIONS AND MAP STUDIES. 

1. Point out the Island of Providence; Charles- 

ton. 

2. Where is Hampton Roads? Ocracoke.^ 

3". Name the most noted pirates ever in North 

Carolina waters. 
4. Where were their headquarters? 
5' How was this broken up? Who escaped? 

6. Tell how Steed Bonnet was captured and 

hanged ; also how Worley met his death. 

7. Describe the appearance of Black Beard. 

8. Whom did he capture in the summer of 1718? 

9. What was the name of Black Beard's ship? 

10. Relate the story of the chest of medicine. 

11. Where did Black Beard go for pardon? What 

did he do? 

12. W^hat ship did he afterwards capture? 

U. What did he claim? What of Tobias Knight? 

14. Who was sent against Black Beard? 

15. Give the story of the battle and result. 



104 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XIV, 
END OF PROPRIATARY RULE. 

Change of Governors. — Early in 1722 Governor 
Eden died, after having served the province for 
eight years. Although his name became associated 
with that of Black Beard, during the latter's wicked 
practices. Governor Eden was popular and greatly 
loved by the people. His name is perpetuated by 
having one of the principal towns in the eastern 
division of the State named for him. Soon after 
Eden's death the council met and selected as his 
successor. Colonel Thomas Pollock, who had serv- 
de so acceptably during the Indian war. Colonel 
Pollock lived only a few months after beginning 
his term, when he too passed from the busy scene 
of office life and was succeeded by William Reed, 
who was then president of the council and by vir- 
tue of his office became acting governor. 

New Precincts Formed. — That year the As- 
sembly removed the political disabilities of Ed- 
ward Moseley, who had been debarred from prac- 
ticing law or holding office since 1718. He at 
once became the favorite of the people, was el- 
ected to the Assembly and became speaker, tak- 
ing his old position as leader of the people, a post 
he had held for many years. At that time there 
were two counties in the province, Albemarle and 




t-, 
a 



S 

CD 



a 









2 



(-1 

Oh 

3 



Proprietary Government. 105 

Bath. Albemarle some years before had been di- 
vided into the following precinets, which after- 
wards became counties : Chowan, Perquimans, 
Pasquotank, Currituck, and Bertie. Bath com- 
prised Beaufort, Hyde, Craven, and Carteret. The 
Cape Fear country was as yet a wilderness. 

Building of Courthouses. — The Assembly of 
1722 ordered courthouses to be built at the fol- 
lowing places : Chowan precinct, at Edenton ; Per- 
quimans, at Phelps' Point; Currituck, on farm of 
William Peyner ; Beaufort and Hyde, Bath; Cra- 
ven, Newbern ; Carteret, Beaufort ; Bertie, St. 
Johns; Pasquotank, at some convenient point to 
be selected by a committee. These courthouses 
were small and rude structures, twenty-four feet 
long and sixteen wide, containing one room only. 
George Burrington Appointed Governor. — In 
1724 the Lords Proprietors appointed to the gov- 
ernorship George Burrington, a man of ability 
but quarrelsome. While on a drunken spree in 
London, during his younger days, he knocked 
down and otherwise maltreated an old woman, 
for which he was tried, convicted, and fined. Such 
a man was now sent over to rule a people that 
had grown tired of the misrule and neglect of the 
Lords Proprietors and were in almost open revolt. 
Alninst as soon as the new governor reached the 
province the breach between the people and the 
Proprietors became wider. Burrington began his 
ad inistration by becoming involved in a quarrel 
vitli Mr. Reed, pre-i'Vnt of the council, and some 
of . the members. Will'oit ceren.ionv he removed 



106 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

from the office of Chief-justice the venerable 
Christopher Gale and put young Thomas Pollock 
in his stead. The governor quarreled with most 
of the leading men of the province and by his 
indiscreet conduct aroused the people against the 
government he represented. 

Downfall of Burrington. — On account of the 
murmurs of the people, Burrington complained to 
the Assembly that he was being insulted and 
otherwise held in contempt. Three men were 
arrested on the charge of talking indiscreetly 
about the governor and arraigned for trial. Bur- 
rington was afraid of the evidence that would be 
brought out in the trial and the publicity that 
would be given it. To escape the disclosures cer- 
tain to come, he fled from the province, going 
first to South Carolina and later to England. Ed- 
ward Moseley was chosen by the Assembly to 
succeed Burrington, and served until Sir Richard 
Everard arrived from England in 1725 with a com- 
mission from the Lords Proprietors. Everard was 
a little old man with a big title, but with very few 
of the qualifications necessary to rule a turbulent 
but liberty loving people. 

Assembly of 17^8 — Two new precincts were 
formed by the Assembly of 17?8. These were 
Tyrrel and New Hanover. The C^vc Eear sect- 
ion had at last been permanentlv settled about 
1722, and now rcxMved the name of New Han- 
over. At the same session, 1728, bills of rr -'it 
were issued to t^o value of two hunire^ thons'^nd 
dollars, a tax beinf'; levied to meet current ex- 



Proprietary Government. 107 

pcnscs and commence a sinking fund to pay off 
the bills when they should fall due. 

State Line Run. — During the same year the 
line between North Carolina and Virginia was run 
by commissioners appointed by the two provinces. 
North Carolina sent as her representatives Chris- 
topher Gale, Edward Moseley and John Lovick, 
Edward Moseley and Samuel Swann were the 
surveyors. These men, together with the com- 
missioners from Virginia, after many toils and 
hardships in running the line through the Dismal 
Swamp, never before traversed by white men, 
completed the work to the satisfaction of both 
provinces. The line remains now as it was run 
at that time. 

The Proprietors Sell to the Crown. — Tn 1729 
seven of the Lords Proprietors sold their shares 
to the king and received from him twenty-five 
thousand pounds each, and some five hundred 
pounds each for rents still unpaid. Lord Carteret, 
however, refused to sell his share, and later was 
granted a considerable portion of the province in 
the northern part in consideration of his surrend- 
ering all share in the government. This was a 
very satisfactory arrangement, for the people of 
North Carolina had grown tired of the mischiev- 
ous and unsteady rule of the Lords Proprietors. 
At the same time North and South Carolina were 
made separate provinces by law as they had long 
been in fact. 

Growth and Prosperity. — During the sixteen 
years since the close of the Indian war the colony 



108 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

had nearly doubled its population. There were 
now about ten thousand people living within the 
present limits of the State besides the savage 
tribes that still held sway in the forests and plains 
of the middle section and the mountains of the 
west. New settlements had been made in Craven, 
Hyde, Carteret, and Beaufort counties, Settlers 
were finding their way to the upper reaches of the 
Neuse and the Trent. On the Cape Fear Colonel 
Maurice Moore, Cornelius Harnett, and others were 
building up prosperous communities. North Car- 
olina now ranked with the best of the provinces 
on the Atlantic coast. 



MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Point out Chowan County, Perquimans, Pas- 

quotank, Currituck, Bertie. 

2. Locate the counties of Beaufort, Hyde, Cra- 

ven, Carteret. 

3. Where is Edenton? Bath? Newbern? 

Beaufort? 

4. Where is Tyrrel County? New Hanover? 

5. Where is the Dismal Swamp? 

6. What two governors died in 1722? 

7. What is said of Edward Moseley? 

8. Name the counties and precincts in 1722. 

9. Where were courthouses built? How large 

were they? 

10. Who became governor in 1724? What kind 

of a man v/as he? 

11. With whom did he quarrel? 



Proprietary Government. 109 

12. Whom did he make chief-justice? 

13. Why did Burrington flee from the province? 

14. Who succeeded him? Who became gover- 

nor in 1725? 

15. What new precincts were formed in 1728? 

16. How much paper money was issued that 

year? 

17. Tell how the State line was run. 

18. What happened in 1729? Tell something of 

the colony's growth. 



110 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



GENERAL REVIEW OF THE PROPRIETARY 

PERIOD. 

1. Tell important facts about the following per- 
sons : 



Robert Heath 
Lord Maltravers 
Francis Yardley 
Roger Green 
George Durant 
William Berkley 
William Drummond 
John Yeamans 
Samuel Stephens 
Nathaniel Bacon 
John Locke 
Peter Carteret 
Thomas Eastchurch 
Thomas Miller 
John Culpeper 
Seth Southwell 
John Harvey 
John Jenkins 
Henry Wilkinson 
Thomas Pollock 
Philip Ludwell 
Alex. Lillington 
Thomas Harvey 
Henderson Walker 
Robert Daniel 



Edmund Porter 
Thomas Carey 
John Porter 
William Glover 
Edward Moseley 
John Lawson 
Edward Hyde 
De Graffenreid 
John Barnwell 
Louis Mitchell 
Tom Blunt 
James Moore 
Maurice Moore 
William Swann 
Edward Teach 
William Rhett 
Samuel Wragg 
Charles Eden 
Tobias Knight 
Lieut. Maynard 
George Barrington 
John Lovick 
Christopher Gale 
Samuel Swann 



Proprietary Government. 



Ill 



2. Tell where each is ; why noted : 



Roanoke Island 

Old I'own Creek 

Durant's Neck 

Nevis 

Barbadoes 

Bath 

Edenton 

Newbern 



Fort Barnwell 
Nahucke 
Cahuncke 
Indian Woods 
Teach's Hole 
Philips Point 
St. Johns 



3. Tell what took place on each of the following 
dates: 1629; 1653; 1663; 1711; 1712; 1729. 



PERIOD OF EXPANSION AND GROWTH. 

1730—1775. 

CHAPTER XV. 
TEN YEARS OF PROGRESS. 

Towns in the Province. — In 1730 there were but 
four ineorporated towns in the provinee. Bath, 
the oldest, was given a eharter in 1705; Newbern, 
in 1711; Edenton, in 1716; and Beaufort, about 
1720. These w^ere but small villages then, but 
early became important centers of trade. 

Burrington Again Becomes Governor. — Much to 
the surprise of everybody the king appointed, in 
1731, George Burrington as governor. He had 
been governor six years before and acted so badly 
that nobody was sorry to 'see him leave. No one 
was glad now to see him come back. Many peo- 
ple were disgusted at the way the king was be- 
ginning his administration, and openly expressed 
their disapproval of the appointment of Burring- 
ton. 

Arrest and Release of John B. Ashe. — John B. 
Ashe w^as a member of the governor's council, but 
was unfriendly to Burrington. He and the gover- 
nor quarreled and sharp w^ords passed between 
them. Ashe called Burrington a rogue and a 
tyrant, and the latter returned the comDliment 



114 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

with a few oaths that shocked the ears of his 
chief advisers. To stop Ashe's indignant retorts 
Burrington ordered him thrown into jail. It was 
the people's time now to take notice. Liberty 
loving citizens demanded Ashe's release. Bur- 
rington steadfastly refused. Chief-Justice Little 
ordered the prisoner to be brought before him for 
trial, and upon hearing the evidence, released him. 
This made Burrington furious, and he removed 
Little from office by order, but the chief-justice 
refused to retire. 

Burrington's Second Downfall. — Governor Bur- 
rington had stirred up another hornet's nest. He 
had arroused all classes of people against him 
John B. Ashe, Nathaniel Rice, John Montgomery, 
Cornelius Harnett, and other leading men united 
in an appeal to the king that Burrington be re- 
called, and in their appeal, among other things, 
they accused the governor of stealing a horse. 
So great was the feeling against him that Bur- 
rington left secretly and returned to England. 
Nathaniel Rice as president of the council suc- 
ceeded him as chief executive. 

Mission of Dr. Brickell. — About this time Dr. 
John Brickell with ten white men and two 
friendly Indians made a journey into western Car- 
olina to establish trade and friendship with the 
Cherokecs of the mountains. There were no 
roads in those days, and his journey was over 
pathless forests. He crossed the Blue Ridge and 
the Great Smokies and descended into what is 
now Tennessee, exploring a large territory. L^pon 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 115 

his return to Edenton he gave a favorable report 
of the country he had visited, and thus laid the 
foundation of future settlements in that section. 
He afterwards wrote a history of the province in 
which he related many interesting things he learned 
on this journey. 

Gabriel Johnston. — Early in 1734 the king ap- 
pointed Gabriel Johnston to the position of gov- 
ernor, Johnston was a Scotchman of good educa- 
tion and came to North Carolina under most fa- 
vorable circumstances. His aim seemed to ha\'e 
been to benefit the people whom he came to gov- 
ern. Early in his administration he called the 
Assembly together and had enacted some very 
wholesome laws. 

New Settlements. — During this period of peace 
and prosperity new settlements were springing up 
in many places. Onslow county had been settled 
some time before the arrival of Governor John- 
ston, and was fast becoming a prosperous part 
of the province. Other settlements had been made 
in what is now Martin, Halifax, and Warren Coun- 
ties. Edgecombe, Northampton, lUadeu, and Cum- 
berland were being opened up to settlers, who 
were seeking the rich lands of the Roanoke, the 
Tar, and the Ca])e I-^car l\i\ers. 

Wilmington Settled and Na^ned. — Some years 
after the beginning of the settlement on the lower 
Cape Eear at Brunswick, another community was 
commenced higher up the ri\er and called New 
Liverpool. Later, the name was changed to New- 
ton, and was so called until 17v37 when it was 



116 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

changed again to Wihnington in honor of Spencer 
Compton, Earl of Wilmington, who was chiefly 
instrumental in getting the king to appoint Gab- 
riel Johnston governor. 

New Counties. — In 1738 the precincts that had 
been previously formed were made counties by act 
of the Assembly. Four others, Bladen, Edge- 
combe, Onslow, and New Hanover, were formed 
about the same time, making in all fifteen counties 
then in the province. 



MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Trace the Blue Ridge Mountains; the Great 

Smokies. 

2. Point out the following counties : Onslow, 

Martin, Halifax, Warren, Edgecombe, 
Northampton, Bladen, and Cumberland. 

3. Where is Brunswick county? Wilmington? 

4. Name the towns in 1730 with date of incor- 

poration. 

5. Who was appointed governor in 1731? 

6. Tell about the trouble he had with John B. 

Ashe. 

7. What did Burrington try to do to Judge Lit- 

tle? 

8. What appeal was made to the king? 

9. What became of Burrington? 

10. Tell the story of Dr. Brickell's expedition. 

11. Who was appointed governor in 1734? 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 117 

12. What new settlements were made during that 

period? 

13. For whom was Wilmington named? 

14. What was done in 1738? How many coun- 

ties in the province? 



118 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
THE GROWING PROVINCE. 

War of Jenkins' Ear. — War broke out in 1741 
between England and Spain. It was known as the' 
war of Jenkins' Ear, and came about in a singular 
manner. Some Spanish sailors captured an Eng- 
lish sloop owned by a man named Jenkins, cut 
off Jenkins' ear, and otherwise maltreated him. 
Jenkins later escaped, wrapped up his ear, which 
he had saved, in a napkin, and sent it to the king of 
England asking for vengeance. England declared 
war. 

North Carolina Aids Georgia. — As soon as it be- 
came known that England had declared war, the 
Spaniards of Florida began to make attacks upon 
the settlements in Georgia. Governor Oglethorpe 
of that province applied to North Carolina for aid^ 
and although the conditions were unfavorable', 
Governor Johnson sent four hundred men to th^ 
relief of the southern colony. These North Caro- 
lina soldiers helped to drive the Spaniards back 
and aided in the attack upon St. Augustine, Flor- 
ida, and afterwards in the unsuccessful siege of 
Cartagena in South America. 

Laws of 1741. — Besides providing means to fight 
the Spaniards, the Assembly of 1741 passed what 
is known as personal liberty laws. Among them 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 119 

were laws respecting the Sabbath, profanity, and 
drunkenness. The Sunday laws were strict, re- 
quiring all persons to apply themselves to the 
duties of religion, to attend church, and abstain 
from all work or amusements. The penalty for 
violating the Sunday law was fourteen shillings. 
Profane language was punishable by a fine of two 
shillings and six pence, if by a private citizen, but 
an officer so offending was fined five shillings for 
each oath. Any person swearing in the presence 
of a Court of record was fined ten shillings or con- 
fined three hours in the stocks. Drunkenness was 
punished by a fine of two and a half shillings if 
the oft'ense was on a week day and double that 
amount if on Sunday. 

Settlement with Lord Granville. — Ever since 
1729, when North Carolina became a royal pro- 
vince, there had been some misunderstanding with 
Lord Granville, heir and successor of Lord Car- 
teret, who, it will be remembered, refused to 
sell his interest in the province at the time 
the other Proprietors did. He had surrend- 
ered his share in the government but still^ claimed 
an interest in the lands of the entire province. In 
1743, however, he petitioned the king to allot to 
him one-eighth of the lands agreeing to give up 
all other claims. A committee was accordingly ap- 
pointed to settle with him on that basis and the 
northern strip of the province, about sixty miles 
broad, was granted to him. 11iis territory he held 
and collected rents from until the Revolutionary 
war. 



120 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Forts on the Coast. — French and Spanish priva-^ 
teers, during the period from 1741 to 1760, made 
frequent attacks upon the peaple living on the 
coasts of North and South Carolina. To guard 
against these attacks and to protect the farmers 
against loss, incident to the inroads of the priva- 
teers, the Assembly of 1744 ordered the construct- 
ion of several forts on the water fronts. One w^as 
built near the mouth of the Cape Fear river and 
named Fort Johnston in compliment to the gover- 
nor. Others w^ere built at Ocracoke and on Top- 
sail and Bear inlets. 

Capture of a Spanish Privateer. — In 1748, before 
Fort Johnston was fully finished and equipped, a 
fleet of Spanish privateers entered the Cape Feaf 
river and made depredations upon the people in 
that section. They did not proceed very far, how- 
ever, before they discovered that they had gotten 
into a hostile country ; for the settlers gathered 
together and, with guns, pitchforks, axes, and jack- 
knives made an attack upon the invaders and drove 
them to their ships. In trying to get away, one of 
the Spanish ships ran aground and was captured 
by the pursuing settlers ; but only after the crew 
had escaped to another ship. The victors took 
from the prize some negjo slaves, applied match to 
her magazine and blew her up. After that the 
Spaniards steered clear of North Carolina waters. 

First Printing Press — In 1749 James Davis 
brought from Virginia a printing press and set it 
lip at Newbern. This was the first printing office 
opened in North Carolina and marks an important 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 121 

epoch in the history of the State. On this press 
was printed the first newspaper in 1764, and a col- 
lection, in 1752^ of the statutes called "Yellow 
Back". 

Scotch Settlers. — During the ten years from 1741 
to 1751 large numbers of settlers came into the 
province and established themselves in various 
places, building up strong communities and settle- 
ments. Many of the Scotch Highlanders, who fled 
from their homes soon after the collapse of the re- 
bellion of the "forty-five," came to North Carolina 
and settled on the Cape Fear river in the present 
counties of Cumberland, Moore, Bladen, and Chat- 
ham. Some settlements were made by them also 
about this time in Robeson and Anson counties. 
About the same time the Scotch-Irish Presbyter- 
ians from Pennsylvania began to come to North 
Carolina in large numbers. They bought lands in 
the Piedmont section and established themselves 
chiefly in the present counties of Alamance, Or- 
ange, Guilford, Cabarrus, Mecylenburg, Davidson 
Montgomery and Rowan. During those ten years 
the province more than doubled in population and 
wealth. 

Moravian Settlers. — In order to develop his share 
of the province Earl Granville held out extra in- 
ducements to settlers, and attracted many of the 
Pennsylvania Dutch, who came with their families 
in large numbers and made homes in some of the 
finest sections of Piedmont, North Carolina. They 
were thrifty and intelll'^cnt and sowed the seeds 
of religion and culture that ra])idly developed irt 



12^ A Child's History of North Cafolina. 

that favored section. About 1753 a company of 
German Moravians arrived from Europe and, under 
the lead of the pious Bishop Augustus Spangen- 
berg, selected a delightful district in v^^hat is now^ 
Forsyth county and named it Wachovia for their 
former home in Germany, Soon a considerable 
colony of the same thrifty people came from over 
the seas and planted themselves in "Wachovia," 
building a community which has developed into 
the present city of WinSton-Salem. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is St. Augustine? Cartagena? Ocra- 

coke? 

2. Locate the counties of Cumberland, Moore 

Chatham. 

3. Point out the counties of Robeson, Anson 

Alamance, Orange, Guilford, Cabarrus 
Mecklenburg, Davidson, Montgomery and 
Rowan. 

4. Where was Wachovia? Locate Forsyth 

county ; WinstOn-Salem. 

5. What was the cause of the war of "Jenkins' 

Ear?*' 

6. How did North Carolina aid Georgia? 

7. How many men were sent out and what did 

they do? 

8. Name some of the laws that were passed in 

1741 : some of the penalties. 

9. How was the settlement with Lord Granville 

made? 
10. Relate the story of the Spanish privateer. 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 123 

11. What forts were built on the coast? 

12. Who printed the first newspaper? What else 

was printed? 

13. What settlers came into the Piedmont section? 

Into Forsyth county? 

14. What name did the Moravians give their set- 

tlement? 

15. \\'hat kind of people were these new settlers? 



124 A Child*s History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XVIL 
CALM BEFORE THE STORM. 

Death of Gabriel Johnston. — After a successful 
administration of nearly twenty years Governor 
Johnston died in 1752, and was succeeded by Na- 
thaniel Rice, president of the council. Although 
Governor Johnston's administration was altogether 
in the interest of the king and only incidentally 
beneficial to the people, his death was deeply re- 
gretted throughout the province. 

French and Indian War.' — President Rice died in 
1753, and was succeeded by Mathew Rowan of 
Bladen County. The next year the French and 
Indian war broke out. This war was caused by 
the French, who were in control of Canada and the 
mouth of the Mississippi river, gradually extending 
their power toward the east and encroaching upon 
the Virginia and Pennsylvania settlements. 
Alarmed by these signs of enterprise and deter- 
mination on the part of the French, Governor Din=- 
widdie, of Virginia, began to make preparation to 
stop these encroachments. He sent young George 
Washington with a regiment of militia to the 
western part of Virginia to watch developments 
there, and despatched a messenger to North Caro- 
lina for aid. Governor Rowan soon had a regi- 
ment of nine hundred men on the way to Virginia 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 125 

under the command of Colonel James Innes, of 
Wilmington. 

Failure of the Expedition. — Colonel Innes march- 
ed to Winchester, Va., expecting to join other 
troops at that place and proceed against the en- 
emy. There it was learned that Colonel George 
Washington had been defeated in western Virginia 
and that the Virginia House of Burgesses had ap- 
propriated no funds for the support of the North 
Carolina soldiers, and they were compelled to re- 
turn home. Colonel Innes was taken sick and had 
to be left at Winchester, where he shortly after- 
wards died. 

Colonel Waddell's Campaigns. — The next year, 
1755, Colonel Hugh Waddell was ordered to Vir- 
ginia with a regiment of volunteers to aid General 
Braddock in an expedition against Fort Du 
Ouesne. Before he had gone far on the way, how- 
ever, he was recalled and sent against the Chero- 
kee and Catawba Indians, who were ravaging the 
remote settlements near the foothills of the moun- 
tains. After a brief campaign he succeeded in 
bringing them to terms of peace. To protect these 
outlying settlements, forts and block houses were 
built at different points of exposure. Colonel 
Waddell also assisted the people of South Carolina 
in their conflict with the savages, who were laying 
waste their frontiers. 1 he savages were soon 
forced to sue for peace. 

Tower Hill. — Arthur Dobbs was appointed gov- 
ernor in 1754. He came over from his home in 
Ireland and bought a farm near the old Indian 



126 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

fort, Nahucke, in the present county of Greene 
and named it Tower Hill after a famous place 
in England. Two or three years later he asked 
the Assembly to pass a law making Tower Hill 
the capital of the province, but the proposition 
was bitterly opposed. In the session of 1758, 
however, the measure was passed, but was se- 
verely denounced as a scheme of the governor's 
to increase the value of his farm. The minority 
members of the Assembly appointed Samuel 
Swann, Mathew Rowan, and Samuel Johnston to 
lay the matter before the king, who, after review- 
ing the facts connected with the scheme, revoked 
the law, and Tower Hill never became the capi- 
tal. 

Restlessness of the People. — Governor Dobbs 
and the members of the Assembly did not get 
along very well together, and on account of their 
cross purposes, not much legislation was enacted. 
The governor proposed laws, which the Assembly 
ignored, and the Assembly passed laws which the 
governor vetoed. Thus nothing was done except 
to increase the growing dissatisfaction of the 
people at the blunders of royal rule. In many 
places the king's tax collectors were roughly 
handled on account of their activity in carrying 
out the demands of the British government. 
Taxes had been made tyrannically high, and the 
agents of the government had become overbear- 
ing in the efforts to collect. 

The First Newspaper. — In 1764 James Davis, 
who had set up the first printing press in North 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 127 

Carolina, began at Newborn the publication of 
the first newspaper in the province, "The North 
Carolina Magazine or Universal Intelligencer". 
Soon thereafter Andrew Stewart commenced at 
Wilmington the publication of the ''North Caro- 
lina Gazette" and the "Weekly Post Boy." 



QUESTIONS. 

1. Who succeeded Governor Johnston? 

2. What was the cause of the French and In- 

dian W^ar? 

3. What help was sent to Virginia? 

4. Why did the expedition fail? 

5. Give an account of Waddell's campaigns. 

6. What defenses against the Indians were 

built? 

7. Relate the story of Tower Hill. 

8. Whv were the people becoming restless? 

9. Name the first newspapers. 

10. What was the date of publication? 



128 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
THE STAMP ACT. 

Object of the Tax. — At the close of the French 
and Indian war, England was loaded with debt 
incurred in carrying on that struggle. North Car- 
olina and other provinces had borrowed money in 
order to equip their armies and to pay their sold- 
iers during the seven years of its continuance. 
Now that the war was over it became necessary 
to provide means for paying off the debt. The 
English government thought it was right for the 
colonies to pay a part of it. As the preliminary 
step to levying a tax a resolution was passed in 
the British parliment, in 1763, declaring that the 
king had a right to levy a tax upon the colonies. 
Two years later parliment passed what is known 
as the Stamp Act, which required all newspapers, 
deeds, mortgages, marriage licenses and other legal 
documents to have upon them, before being is- 
sued, a stamp sold only by the government. In 
that way the P>ritish government expected to 
wring from the colonics many millions of dollars. 

Excitement Among the Colonies. — The passage 
of this act caused intense excitement among the 
people of North Carolina, as it did also in the 
other colonies. Throughout America the opinion 
was freely expressed that England had taken a 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 129 

fatel step, and that the colonics would surely re- 
sist the payment of the tax even to bloodshed and 
death. 

Why the People Resisted. — England claimed 
that the Americans ought to pay this tax because 
large sums of money were spent by the govern- 
ment in carrying on war for the protection of the 
colonies. The colonies, on the other hand, as- 
serted that they, too, had incurred a big debt in 
consequence of that war, and that the war was 
not alone for their protection but for the protect- 
ion of England as well. They claimed also that 
it was wrong to tax them since they had no rep- 
resentation in the British parliament. "No taxa- 
tion without representation" became the cry in 
all the colonies. 

"Blood and Death" Resistance. — William Tryon 
succeeded Arthur Dobbs in 1764. He had been 
lieutenant-governor for several years and was very 
popular with the people. He assumed the gover- 
norship under very trying circumstances and was 
much disturbed at the rising temper of the people 
of the province. After the passage of the Stamp 
Act, Governor Tryon sent for John Ashe, an active 
patriot of Wilmington, and asked him how the 
law would be received in North Carolina. "It will 
be resisted to blood and death," replied Ashe ; and 
in that answer Governor Tryon saw the spirit of 
the people, which was otherwise shown in many 
places in the proxince by resolutions, ])atriotic or- 
ganizations, and ringing petitions to the crown. 

Arrival of the Stamps. — In the midst of this t-v- 



130 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

citement, the sloop of war, "Diligence," with 
stamps on board arrived at Brunswick near Wilm- 
ington in November, 1765. Governor Tryon is- 
sued his proclamation announcing the arrival of 
the stamps and summoning everybody to come 
forward and purchase such as were needed. The 
proclamation aroused the people still more, and 
there were rmconcealed threats of violence if the 
"Diligence" should attempt to land the cargo. 
Colonels John Ashe and Hugh Waddell mustered 
five hundred men from New Hanover and Bruns- 
wick counties and marched at their head to the 
port of Brunswick and defied the crew of the 
"Diligence" to attempt a landing. No attempt 
was made. 

In Wilmington, shortly before the arrival of the 
stamps, a large crowd assembled in the streets to 
attend what was represented to be the funeral of 
Liberty. A coffin containing an image of the 
statue of liberty was carried with drums muffled 
and bells tolling to the church-yard to be buried. 
But on reaching the grave the pall-bearers opened 
the coffin, felt the pulse of the image, and pre- 
tended to find that there was still some life. Tak- 
ing up the coffin they marched back to town, built 
a great bonfire, before which they placed the 
image now taken from the coffin, and gave three 
rousing cheers that liberty was still alive in the 
province. 

Resignation of the Stamp Seller. — About the 
same time three hundred Sons of Liberty in Wil- 
mingfton seized William Houston, who had been 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 131 

appointed stamp agent for the crown, led him to 
the public square, and there forced him to resign 
his office and declare that he would never, at any 
place, sell any of the stamps. No one else in New 
Hanover or Brunswick could be secured to handle 
the stamps, and so the stamps remained on board 
the Diligence in the harbor. 

Seizure of the Merchant Vessels. — Soon there- 
after two merchant vessels from Philadelphia ar- 
rived in port, and as their bills of lading were not 
stamped, they were seized by the British ship, 
''Viper," which was in the harbor, although the 
officers of the captured vessels said the stamps 
could not be gotten when they left Philadelphia. 
When that action became known, Colonel Waddel 
at the head of more than five hundred determined 
men marched to Brunswick to arrest the collector 
of the king's revenue atv that port and to release 
the vessels. The soldiers surrounded the gover- 
nor's home in Brunswick and forced Tryon to sur- 
render the collector, taking from him the clearance 
papers and bills of lading notwithstanding the 
threats of the governor. These patriots then at- 
tempted to seize the two British ships, but as 
they were anchored far out in the ri\er the attempt 
was not successful. The crews, however, stayed 
close on board. Later, on account of the fact that 
the British vessels were in desperate need of food 
and other supplies. Governor IVyon was forced 
to order the release of the merchant ships in order 
to conciliate the people so that the supplies might 
be obtained. 



132 A Child'? History of North Carolina. 

Repeal of the Act. — At Newbern, Edenton, Bath 
and other places in the province public meetings 
were held condemning the Stamp Act. All over 
North Carolina the same feeling of resentment 
against England was felt. So, after remaining for 
a month in the port of Brunswick without being 
allowed to land or to unload its cargo, the Dili- 
gence sailed away carrying the hated stamps. No- 
body in North Carolina had bought one. In 
March 1766, the English parliament repealed the 
Act. 



MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Point out Brunswick on the map. 

2. Where is Philadelphia? 

3. Why did England attempt to tax the colonies? 

4. What resolution was passed in parliament in 

1763? 

5. What law was passed in 1765? 

6. What did the Stamp Act require? 

7. How was the passage of the act considered in 

North Carolina? 

8. Why did the colonies resist the Act? 

9. What did John Ashe say to Governor Tryon? 

10. What ship brought the stamps over? 

11. What was the proclamation of the governor? 

12. Tell what Ashe and Waddell did. 

13. Relate particulars about the funeral of lib- 

erty. 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 133 

14. What did the Sons of Liberty do? 

15. Whv were two merchant vessels seized? 

16. Tell' what Hugh Waddell did. 

17. Why did Tryon release the vessels? 

18. When was the hated law repealed? 



134 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XIX. 
RISE OF THE REGULATORS. 

Governor Tryon's Barbacue. — Soon after the? 
Stamp Act troubles were over, Governor Tryon 
endeavored to make friends with the people, hop- 
ing to bring about a forgiving and a forgetting 
of the late unpleasantness, and thereby overcome 
the resistance to the king's authority in Korth 
Carolina. Accordingly he gave dinners and enter- 
tainments to the public. One day he prepared a 
sumptuous spread near his home on the Cape 
Fear and invited all the farmers for miles around 
to come to the feast. A w^hole ox w^as roasted, 
barbecued pigs of delicious fllavor were on the 
spits, and hundreds of bottles of beer were un- 
corked. Many people came, but in the midst of 
the entertainment some of the Governor's enemies 
threw the ox and pigs into the river and emp- 
tied the beer upon the ground. 

The Governor's Palace. — Shortly after the 
Stamp Act troubles. Governor Tryon decided to 
move the governor's residence from the Cape 
Fear to the Neuse. He, therefore, asked the As- 
sembly to appropriate money to build, at New- 
bern, a house which would serve as the executive 
mansion and the legislative hall. For that pur- 
pose the Assembly voted twenty-five thousand 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 135 

dollars, which (iovernor 1^\von spent in buying 
a site and laying- the foundation. He then asked 
for more money to complete the building, and an 
appropriation of fifty thousand dollars was ac- 
cordingly made. After its completion, the palace 
was long considered the finest building of the 
kind in America. 

Treaty With the Cherokees. — There was at this 
time a dispute between the settlers near the Blue 
Ridge mountains and the Cherokee Indians as to 
the boundary line between the lands of the set- 
tlers and the Indian hunting grounds. Governor 
Tryon with much pomp and show of finery went 
wnth his staff and some soldiers to meet the In- 
dian Chiefs and survey the line. The savages 
were at first alarmed at the military pomp of the 
governor, but they soon saw that no harm was 
intended them. There was no trouble in locat- 
ing the line and the meeting was mutually agree- 
able. The Indians w^ere much ])leased with 
Tryon and named him the "Great \\^)lf of North 
Carolina," which they intended as a great com- 
pliment. 

The Regulators. — In 1767, a society called the 
Regulation sprang up in the counties of Orange. 
Rowan, Guilford, and Anson. The members were 
known as Regulators, who bound themselves to 
one another by an oath that they would defend 
each other in trouble and resist any attempt to 
collect from them unjust taxes, 'l^hey also agreed 
to quit paving the extortionate fees the kings 
officers were charging for public work, such as 



136 A Child's History of North Caroling. 

recording deeds, issuing' marriage licenses, and 
granting charters. 

Extortion of Officers. — Two 6r three years be- 
fore this time, Thomas Childs and Francis Cor- 
bin, agents of Lord Granville, had siezed some of 
the lands of the settlers on the ground that the 
deeds were not properly executed. This action 
of the agents together with the overbearing man- 
ners of the rent gatherers and the tax collectors 
had angered the people, and they determined not 
to submit to such tyranny. They, therefore, 
banded together for mutual protection. 

Meeting at Sandy Creek. — In the summer of 
1767, a large number of Regulators met at Sandy 
Creek, in what was then Orange county and en-- 
tered into a solemn covenant with one another 
to resist the tyranny of these officers, who were 
conducting the king's government in North Caro- 
lina. The two most active leaders among them 
were Herman Husbands and William Butler. 
After the meeting at Sandy Creek had adjourned, 
Husbands and Butler were seized by the king's: 
authority and put in jail at Hillsboro. Soon 
thereafter, about seven hundred Regulators as- 
\ sembled in the neighborhood of the jail and de- 
manded the release of the prisoners, which was 
shortly thereafter granted. 

Promises of the Governor. — While the Regula- 
tors were encamped near Hillsboro, a message 
was received from Governor Tryon promising to 
redress their grievances and inviting the Regula- 
tors to send a committee to him to make known 



\ 




Period of Expansion and Growth. 137 

their wishes. James Hunter and Rednap Howell 
were appointed to wait on the governor, and the 
Regulators then dispersed. W hen this commit- 
tee- came into the presence of the governor, at 
Newbern a little later, without hearing theini 
through, Tryon told them that he would not hear 
their complaints, but would drive them out of 
the province unless they immediately advised the 
Regulators to disband and go to work. This was 
the first breaking of faith between Tryon and the 
Regulators. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Point out the Blue Ridge; Orange, Rowan. 

Anson. 

2. Where is Hillsboro? Sandy Creek? 

3. Relate the story of Tryon's barbacue. 

4. Tell about building the governor's palace. 

5. Tell how Tr3^on got the name of Great Wolf* 

6. Relate particulars about the organization of 

Regulators. 

7. Why were Husbands and Butler arrested? 

Why released? 

8. Tell how Tryon broke faith with the Regu= 

lators. 



138 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XX. 
BATTLE OF ALAMANCE. 

Gathering of the Militia. — In order to be ready 
for any trouble that might arise from the activity 
of the Regulators, Governor Tryon called for the 
militia of the province to meet him at Salisbury 
in August, 1768. A large body assembled at the 
appointed time, and w^ere met by the governor 
who addressed them in a ringing speech in v^hich 
he declared that the Regulators w^ere rebels 
against the king and deserved severe punishment. 
Tryon then called upon all present to volunteer 
for the w^ar, and all except one company from 
Rowan county responded. 

Dispersion of the Regulators. — At the head of 
about sixteen hundred men, Governor Tryon 
marched from Salisbury to Hillsboro, expecting 
to meet w^ith the Regulators on the way and to 
give them battle. But the Regulators, not wish- 
ing to be engaged in actual war against the gov- 
ernor, dispersed as he approached and went to 
their homes. Thinking that the trouble w^as over 
and that war had been averted, Tryon disbanded 
his army and returned to Newbern. Soon after- 
wards, however, a band of the Regulators went 
to Hillsboro, marcbed into the courthouse where 
court was in session, and by force released the 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 139 

prisoners that were being tried. Judge Hender- 
son, who was holding the Court, qulekly adjourn- 
ed the sittings and fled in the night from Hills- 
boro. Some of the most violent of the Regulators 
dragged Edmund Fanning from the courthouse 
and beat him. Other lawyers and officers of the 
court were also badly maltreated. 

Wrath of the Governor. — When Governor Tr- 
yon heard of what the Regulators had done, he 
was very angry. He declared that he would 
drive the last one of them from the province. 
For that purpose he called upon the counties to 
furnish their quota of troops and to hold them 
in readiness to join him at a day's notice. He 
also requested General Gage, the British com- 
mander at Boston, Massachusetts, to send him 
some ammunition and two cannons. Tryon was 
personally very popular, and in response to his 
call eleven hundred men assembled for service. 
When the field pieces and the ammunition arrived 
from Boston, the governor was ready to set out 
against the Regulators. 

General Waddell Defeated. — Governor Tryon 
sent forward with a small force General Hugh 
Waddell, who had actively opposed the governor 
in the Stamp :\ct troubles but who was now a 
staunch friend, to gather the Anson and Rowan 
militia and conduct thcMii to the meeting place in 
Orange C\)Unty. Waddell was successful in rais- 
ing about three hundred men and was leading 
them to join Trxon when he found his way block- 



140 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

ed by the Regulators in overwhehning numbers 
and was forced to retreat to Salisbury. 

The Black Boys of Cabarrus. — -About the same 
time, spring of 1771, a wagon train loaded with 
powder and munitions of war for Tryon^s army 
came up from Charleston and was hurrying to 
Hillsboro. As it was passing through Cabarrus 
County near where Concord now stands, the train 
was attacked by a band of young men who had 
blacked their faces to avoid detection. In the 
skirmish that ensued the powder was ignited by 
some of the "black boys'* and a tremendous explo- 
sion took place, wrecking the entire train, and in 
the confusion that followed ''The Black Boys of 
Cabarrus*' as they were afterwards called escaped. 
For this offense they were outlawed and pursued 
by Tryon's vengeance for several months. Some 
were captured and punished with death while 
others fled from the province. 

Negotiations and Threats. — In April, 1771, Gov- 
ernor Tryon set out from Newbern at the head of 
his army of eleven hundred men and marched 
toward Hillsboro. ' On May 16th he arrived at 
Alamance Creek in what is now Alamance County, 
not far from the present town of Burlington. A 
mile or two off was the army of Regulators, about 
two thousand strong, drawn up in battle array to 
oppose him. As soon as the governor's army 
halted in sight, the Regulators sent a messenger 
asking for a parley to the end that their grievances 
might be redressed. Tryon replied that he would 
redress no grievances ; but unless they at once laid 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 141 

down their arms, returned to their homes, and 
paid the taxes, he would regard them as enemies 
of the king. The Regulators sent back a defiant 
reply and prepared for battle. 

The Battle. — As the two armies approached each 
other, a Regulator by the name of Robert Thomp- 
son, who had been held as prisoner in Tryon's 
camp, tried to escape. As he began to run, Tryon 
ordered him to stop. Thompson continued to run 
and was shot down by the governor. Seeing this 
tragedy, the Regulators began to fire upon Tryon's 
troops. The governor ordered his men to fire, but 
they refused to obey. Rising in his stirrups, his 
face red wdth anger, Tryon shouted, ''Fire! fire 
upon them or upon me." Obeying at last, the 
troops poured into the Regulators a raking fire, 
which was returned with spirit. After a furious 
cross firing of thirty minutes the Regulators fled 
to the woods and kept up the fight for two hours 
from behind trees and rocks. After a time, Tryon 
ordered a charge into the brush, and the Regula- 
tors w^ere put to flight with loss of over one hun- 
dred killed and wounded. IVyon's loss was nine 
killed and sixty-one wounded. 

Close of the Trouble. — For two weeks after the 
battle 1 ryon's forces hunted the Regulators in the 
swamps and forests. Six were captured and im- 
mediately hanged by order of the governor. Hun- 
dreds were driven from the province, and a large 
number were compelled to take the oath that they 
would never again take up arms against the king. 
In this merciless way Governor Tryon staimped 



142 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

out the embers of opposition to his authority and 
boasted that he had saved the province to the Brit- 
ish crow^n. 

First Blood of the Revolution. — The battle of 
Alamance was the first armed conflict of the Revo- 
lution. The Regulator movement was the first 
organized resistance to British tyranny in Amer- 
ica, and while unsuccessful, it showed the world 
that North Carolina would not submit to oppres- 
sion. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Point out Salisbury on the map; Hillsboro ; 

Charleston; Concord. 

2. Point out Alamance Creek; Burlington. 

3. Where did Governor Tryon muster the 

militia? 

4. How many companies volunteered for the 

war? 

5. What did the^ Regulators do when Tryon ap- 

proached? 

6. Where did Tryon then go? 

7. What did some of the Regulators afterward 

do at Hillsboro? 

8. What did Tryon do when he heard of what 

was done? 

9. What did he get from General Gage? 

10. Where did he send General Waddell? What 

happened to Waddell? 

11. Tell the story of the "Black Boys." 

12. When did Governor Tryon meet with the 

Regulators? 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 143 

13. What request did they make of the governor? 

Tryon's reply? 

14. What happened just before the battle? 

15. Give a brief account of the battle. 

16. What were the losses on either side? 

17. How did Tryon stamp out the trouble? 

18. What did the battle of Alamance show? 



144 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XXI. 
MOVEMENT TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE. 

Change of Governors. — In June, 1771, Governor 
Tryon, in a letter to the Secretary of State in 
London, announced that he had finished the war 
with the Regulators and that peace now reigned 
throughout the province. In the same letter he 
intimated his desire to be transferred to another 
field of labor. Soon afterwards he was appointed 
governor of New York and at once set out for his 
new post of duty. James Hassell, president of the 
council, succeeded to the vacancy; but he served 
only a short time when Josiah Martin arrived from 
England and assumed control of affairs. 

Pardon for the Regulators. — Governor Martin 
was anxious to reconcile the Regulators and all 
their sympathizers to the British government. 
One of the first things he did, therefore, was to 
issue a proclamation of pardon to all who had 
been engaged in the late rebellion except Herman 
Husbands, Rednap Howell, and William Burk, 
who had offended too deeply for royal forgiveness. 
Six of the Regulators were still in jail under sen- 
tence of death, while many were at liberty and 
had not taken the oath of allegiance to the king. 
These prisoner were released and a general par- 
don granted to all who would come forward and 




Gov. Samuel Johnston 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 145 

take the oath of allegiance. Something over six 
thousand responded. 

Whigs and Tories. — About this time the terms, 
AVhig and Tory, came into use in the province. 
Those who adhered to the royal government and 
opposed the movement for independence were 
•called Tories, while those who espoused the patri- 
otic cause were called Whigs. The Whigs were 
largely in the majority and controlled the Legi^ 
lature and all the internal affairs of the province. 
The Tories w^erc despised by their neighbors and 
looked upon as traitors to their country. 

Committee of Correspondence. — When the Leg- 
islature met in 1772, it was deemed best to appoint 
a committee of correspondence to keep in touch 
with the other colonies, to w^atch the action of the 
British Parliament, and to report any legislation 
of that body that was hostile to the interests of 
the American people. This committee was com- 
posed of John Harvey, Richard Caswell, Samuel 
Johnston, Joseph Hewies, Edward Vail, Cornelius 
Harnett, William Hooper, John Ashe, and Robert 
Howe. The action of the Legislature was severe- 
ly condemned by Governor Martin, who sought to 
keep North Carolina from joining the other colon- 
ies in their opposition to the king. But he soon 
saw that he had a stubborn and patriotic people to 
rule. As a consequence, he and the Legislature 
were in a quarrel almost his entire four years of 
office. 

Trouble About the Courts — Karl\ in 1773 the 
laws regulating courts of justice expired b\' liniita- 



146 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

tion, and it became necessary to frame others. 
Accordingly, the Assembly passed a bill providing 
for a regular system of courts that should have 
jurisdiction over all crimes committed in the prov- 
ince by anyone whatsoever. This was intended 
to catch the class of British merchants doing busi- 
ness in the province and who some times dodged 
the taxes. Governor Martin seeing the purpose 
of the law and desiring to favor those merchants 
vetoed the bill. The Legislature then, by resolu- 
tion, declared that all legislation should be held 
up unless the governor withdrew his veto. Gov- 
ernor Martin promptly dissolved the Assembly and 
the members went home angry. For nearly two 
years governmental affairs were held up, for the 
governor refused to re-assemble the Legislature. 
Thus the breach between the people and the king 
had widened, and the province was hastening 
towards independence. 

Call for a Congress. — As time went on and Gov- 
ernor Martin refused to convene the Assembly, 
patriotic citizens all over North Carolina began to 
feel that something should be done for the public 
safety. Colonel John Harvey, one of the most 
fearless of patriots, went to see Governor Martin 
about calling a meeting of the Assembly. He did 
not see the governor, but he asked the governor's 
secretary if another session of the Assembly would 
be called. The secretary replied that Governor 
Martin would not call another session unless he 
saw a chance to get a better one than the last. 
"Then the people will call one," said Colonel Har- 
vey as he left. 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 147 

After consulting with WilUc Jones, of Halifax, 
Samuel Johnston, of Edenton, and other patriotic 
leaders, Colonel Harvey issued handbills calling 
for a convention of delegates to meet in Newbern 
on the 25th of August, 1774, and inviting repre- 
sentation from all the counties. This was the first 
real revolutionary step yet taken in North Caro- 
lina. Governor Martin was enraged at it, and 
issued a proclamation denouncing the movement 
and forbidding obedience to the call. His wrath, 
however, did the king's cause no good, for the con- 
vention met as appointed. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Halifax? 

2. What change of governors took place in 1771? 

3. What was one of the first things Governor 

Martin did? 

4. Name those who were excepted in the pardon. 

5. What is said of the terms Whig and Tory? 

6. How did they regard one another? 

7. What committee was appointed by the Legis- 

lature? 

8. Name the members of the committee? \\^hat 

were their duties? 

9. How did Governor Martin regard the appoint- 

ment of this committee? 

10. \\ hy did the governor and the Assembly 

quarrel? 

11. Who called a convention of the people? Pur- 

pose? 

12. What was the action of Governor Martin? 



148 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XXn. 
END OF ROYAL RULE. 

The Provincial Congress of 1774. — August 25th, 
1774, the Congress called by John Harvey and 
others, as mentioned in the preceding chapter, met 
in Newbern, and organized by electing Harvey, 
Moderator, or Chairman, and appointed delegates 
to the continental congress to meet in Philadelphia 
early in the fall. The delegates w^ere Richard Cas- 
well, William Hooper, and Joseph Hewes. At the 
same session a resolution v\^as passed declaring 
that the Navigation Acts of the British Parliament 
w^ere unjust and oppressive; that no tobacco or 
spirits turpentine should be exported to England ; 
and that w^hoever used the East India tea, upon 
v^^hich there was a tax, should be considered an 
eneniy of his country. 

The Edenton Tea Party. — Opposition to Eng- 
land's attempt to tax the colonies was not confined 
to men. The women of the province were as 
heroic and patriotic as the men. They held their 
meetings and denounced the action of parliament 
in no uncertain words. One of these meetings 
was held in Edenton, October 25, 1774, at the 
home of Mrs. Elizabeth King, at which there were 
fifty-one of the most cultured ladies of the town. 
In a series of resolutions thev declared their ad- 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 149 

herance to the patriot cause, asserting that they 
would use no more tea nor buy any goods of Eng- 
lish make until the tax on tea was repealed. The 
resolutions were signed by everybody present, and 
the delicious East India tea was banished from the 
tables of Edenton families until after the Revolu- 
tion. This incident is known as the "Edenton 
Tea Party'* although no tea was drunk at the 
time. 

Help is Given to Boston. — On account of the 
resistance of the people of Massachusetts to the 
tyranny of England, the parliament of Great Brit- 
ain passed what is known as the Boston Port Bill, 
which forbade any ship from coming into of going 
out from the harbor of Boston. In consequence 
of that law, the people of Massachusetts were cut 
off from the outside world and many of them were 
soon in a starving condition. To relieve the dis- 
tress, contributions of money and provisions 
poured into Boston from other provinces. North 
Carolina sent several ship loads of provisions, 
which were landed at the nearest port to Boston 
and hauled to the city in wagons. The cry was 
heard in every province, "The cause of r)Oston 
is the cause of all." 

Second Provincial Congress. — In February, 1775 
Colonel Harvey called a second meeting of the 
provincial congress to consider the condition of 
affairs and to take such steps as seemed to be 
necessary for the pu1)lic good. Ciovernor Martin 
issued a proclamation forbidding the meeting and 
ordering the representatives not to obey the call, 



150 A Child's History of North Carolina[- 

saying that King George would be exceedingly 
displeased if the congress met ; but the procla- 
mation did not stop anybody, for not many people 
in North Carolina at that time cared whether the 
king lost his temper or not. The congress there- 
fore, met, April 3rd, 1775, in Newbern almost in 
the immediate presence of Governor Martin. 

The Legislature and the Congress. — Governor 
Martin called the Assembly to meet at the same 
place and time. It happened that most of the 
members of the Assembly were also members of 
the Congress. There were sixty-eight members 
of the Assembly and sixty-one of them were 
members of the Congress. Colonel Harvey was 
the presiding officer of *both bodies. For a por- 
tion of the day the Assembly was in session and 
the members were addressing Colonel Harvey as 
*'Mr. Speaker." Adjourning as an Assembly, the 
same body immediately became the Congress and 
the same members were addressing the same 
chairman as *'Mr. Moderator." The Assembly 
passed a resolution declaring that the tyranny of 
the British government ought to be resisted. 
Thereupon the governor quickly dissolved it, but 
the same members continued to meet as the Con- 
gress in defiance of his commands. 

Secret Agents at Work. — Seeing that all hope 
of maintaining British authority in North Caro- 
lina by fair means was gone. Governor Martin 
sent messengers among the Regulators of Orange 
County and the Scotch Highlanders of Cumber- 
land to enlist their services against the patriots 
in the event of war. Secret agents were also dis- 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 151 

patched to the Chcrokecs of the mountains, prom- 
ising them guns and ammunition on condition 
that they would take up arms against the Whigs. 
Even negro slaves were approached by these sec- 
ret agents and persuaded to rise and strike a 
blow for their freedom and for England. As a 
result many slaves later left their masters and 
fled to the British. 

Capture of the Governor's Cannon. — To protect 
himself and council from the patriots. Governor 
A'lartin mounted several cannon in front of the 
palace in Newbern ; but while the council was 
in session Dr. Alexander Gaston and Richard 
Cogdell, at the head of a number of citizens, made 
an attack on the palace, April 24, 1775, and 
carried off the cannon. That night Governor 
Martin in alarm fled from Newbern and took 
refuge in Fort Johnston at the mouth of the Cape 
Fear river. Thus ended forever Royal Rule in 
North Carolina. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. What did the first Provincial Congress do? 

2. What resolutions were passed? 

3. Wdiat did the ladies of Edenton do in 1774? 

4. Why was the port of P>oston closed? 

5. How did that effect the people of Boston? 

How did they get help? 

6. What did North Carolina do? What cry 

was raised? 



152 A Child's History of North Carolina. \ 

7. Why did Governor Martin issue a proclai- 

mation against the meeting of the Provin- 
cial Congress? 

8. Why did he dissolve the Legislature? 

9. What did the Congress then do? 

10. What secret agents did the British have at 

v^ork? 

11. What promise was made to the Cherokees? 

12. Who led the attack upon the governor's 

palace? 

13. What was done in the attack? 

14. Where did Governor Martin go? 

15. What did his flight end? 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 15^ 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

MECKLENBURG DECLARATION OF 
INDEPENDENCE. 

Organization of Committees.- — As soon as it be!- 
came known that Governor Martin had fled front 
the province and British rule in North Caroling 
was at an end, many of the counties began to take 
steps to provide for a system of local self govern- 
ment. County conventions were called and com- 
mittees of safety appointed to look after the en-- 
forcement of the law and to guard the public in- 
terest. 

Convention at Charlotte. — Colonel Thomas Polk 
commander of the militia of Macklenburg county 
early in May, issued a call for a convention of 
delegates from the various precincts to be held 
in Charlotte. The Convention met May 19th and 
organized by electing Abraham Alexander, chair- 
man and John McKnitt Alexander, secretary. In 
the midst of the deliberation of the convention, 
a messenger rode hastily into the village and gave 
the tidings of a battle that had been fought on 
April 19th, at Lexington, Mass., between the mili- 
tia of the province and a regiment of British sol- 
diers. I^he news, although received a month after 
the battle, created intense excitement and volun- 
teers were eai2er to march at once to the assis- 



154 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

tance of Massachusetts. It was evident that the 
action of British troops in firing' upon American 
citizens meant war, and that the colonies now had 
no other recourse but to fight for liberty and inde- 
pendence. 

Action of the Convention. — Immediately upon 
the receipt of the startling news, the convention 
appointed a committee to draw up resolutions ex- 
pressive of the sentiment of the delegates present 
upon the situation and the crisis which seemed 
now at hand. Dr. Ephriam Brevard was chosen 
chairrnan of the committee and was selected to 
Write the resolutions. Next morning, May 20th 
the resolutions were read to the convention and 
adopted as follows : 

1. That whosoever directly or indirectly abets, 
or in any way, form, or manner, counten- 
ance the unchartered and dangerous invas- 
ion of our rights, as claimed by Great Brit- 
ian, is an enemy to this country — to Amer- 
ica — and to the inherent and inalienable 
rights of man. 

2. That we do hereby declare ourselves a free 

and independent people ; are, and of right 
ought to be, a sovereign and self-govering 
association, under the control of no power 
other than that of God and the general 
government of the Congress. To the main- 
tenance of which independence we solmnly 
pledge each other our mutual co-operation 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 155 

our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred 
honor. 

3. That all, each and every military officer in 
this county is hereby reinstated to his 
former command and authority, he acting 
conformably to their regulations. And that 
every member present of this delegation 
shall henceforth be a civil officer, viz.: a 
justice of the peace, in the character of a 
committee-man, to issue process, hear and 
determine all matters of controversy, ac- 
cording to said adopted laws, and to pre- 
serve the peace, union, and harmony, in said 
county, to use every exertion to spread the 
love of country and fire of freedom through- 
out America, until a more general and or- 
ganized government be established in this 
province. 

The Signers. — These resolutions were signed by 
the chairman, secretary, and twenty-five members 
of the convention. Some men, who had been Reg- 
ulators, refused to sign on the ground that such 
action would be violating the oath which they 
took under Governor Tryon four years before. 
With these exceptions the resolutions were unani- 
mously endorsed. This was the first declaration 
of independence adopted in America, and was 
more than a year before the declaration at Phila- 
delphia. July 4, 1776. It showed that North 
Carolina was leru'inp- t^^ other colonies in the 
r^oven^ent for ind^ penc'enoe. 



156 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Mission of Captain Jack. — ^Three or four days 
later a copy of the resolutions was sent to the 
Continental Congress then in session in Philadel- 
phia. Captain James Jack was the special mes- 
senger selected for this important duty. Reach- 
ing his destination Captain Jack gave the copy 
into the hands of the North Carolina delegation 
to be presented to the Congress. For the reason 
however, that the resolutions were thought to be 
premature, they were never brought to the atten- 
tion of Congress, and most of the members were 
ignorant of the fact that a copy had been sent 
to Philadelphia, Captain Jack returned to Char- 
lotte but later moved to Georgia, where he died 
in 1805. 

Later Resolutions. — Eleven days after the pas- 
sage of the first set of resolutions, May 31st, the 
convention again met in Charlotte to complete 
the work begun on the 20th. In a series of 
twenty resolutions an independent government for 
Mecklenburg County was set up under the au- 
thority of the Continental Congress and the prov- 
ince of North Carolina. Thus these farmers of 
Mecklenburg met and spoke on May 20th the 
words that were heard around the world, and on 
the 31st organized a government for their protec- 
tion and comfort, proclaiming to the world that 
they had thrown off the galling yoke of England 
and were henceforth an independent people. This 
Was the first declaration of independence ever pro- 
claimed in America. 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 157 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Point out Mecklenburg- County; Charlotte; 

Lexington ; Philadelphia. 

2. Upon the flight of Governor Martin what was 

done in many counties? 

3. What was the business of the committee of 

safety? 

4. Who called the convention at Charlotte? 

Name the chairman and secretary. 

5. What news was received on May 19th? 

*6. What atTect had the news upon the people 
of Charlotte? 

7. \Miat did the convention do? 

8. Who wrote the resolutions? 

9. Give in your own words the first resolution ; 

the second ; the third. 

10. How many members signed the resolutions.' 

11. Who refused to sign and why? 

12. What is remarkable about the Declaration? 

13. Who carried a copy to Philadelphia? Why 

were the resolutions not brought to the at- 
tention of Congress? 

14. What did the convention do on May 31st? 

15. Why are the Mecklenburg resolutions impor- 

tant? 



The following are the signers of the famous 
resolutions: Abraham Alexander, chairman: John 
McKnitt Alexander, secretary : ICphriam Brevartl 
Hezekiah j. lialch, John T^hifer. James Harris. 
William Kcnnon, lohn h'ord, Richard Barry, 



158 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Henry Downe, Ezra Alexander, William Graham, 
John Oueary, Hezekiah Alexander, Adam Alex- 
ander, Charles Alexander, Zacheus Wilson, Waight- 
still Avery, Benjamin Patton, Mathew McClure. 
Neil Morrison, Robert Irvin, John Flennegin, 
David Reese, John Davidson, Richard Harris, and 
Thomas Polk, Sr. 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 159 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
THE PROVINCE BECOMES A STATE. 

The Cumberland Resolutions. — June 19th, 1775 
the patriots of Cumberland County met in con- 
vention and by resolution pledged themselves to 
respond at a moment's notice, whenever called 
upon by the Provincial Congress, to take up arms 
against the British government. They further de- 
clared any person refusing to sign the resolution 
a public enemy. Nearly all the Scotch Highland- 
ers refused to sign, and were therefore classed by 
the patriots of the county as traitors to their 
country. 

The Scotch Leaders. — About this time three 
well known Scotch soldiers came into North Caro- 
lina from the British army in Boston. They were 
Donald and Alan McDonald and Donald McLeod, 
who had been sent to Cumberland to stir up the 
Highlanders against the patriots. They brought 
word that early in the following year a British 
army was coming into North Carolina to reduce 
the Whigs to 'submission. These men began to 
organize the clans and to train them for war 
against the patriots. 

Capture of Fort Johnston. — I-ort Johnston, at 
the mouth of the Cape hear, was in possession of 
Ciovernor Martin and a detachment of British 



160 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

troops. In July, 1775, Colonel James Moore was 
ordered to storm the fort and, if possible, seize the 
governor. With the first continental regiment 
Moore proceeded to carry out his orders, and was 
joined by Colonel John Ashe with the New Han- 
over and the Brunswick militia. Arriving near 
the fort they demanded the surrender of the gar- 
rison. Governor Martin and the troops he had in 
the fort escaped to the British sloop-of-war, the 
''Cruiser," that was anchored near, and left the 
fort to the victorious patriots, who burned all the 
wood work, destroyed the British quarters, and 
retreated. 

Provincial Congress at Hillsboro. — In August 
1775, the third Provincial Congress met at Hills- 
boro. Since the meeting of the second Congress 
at Newbern, Colonel John Harvey, the patriotic 
and able president, had died. Another distin- 
guished leader, Samuel Johnston, was chosen to 
succeed him. This Congress did some very im- 
portant things. It appointed a committee to work 
among the Regulators and induce them to enlist 
in the patriot cause. At the same time a provin- 
cial government was established by appointing a 
council of two members from each judicial district 
and one from the province at large. Samuel John- 
ston was elected as one of the councillors, but he 
did not attend the first meeting at Smithfield. 
Cornelius Harnett, of Wilmington, was chosen 
president of the council, and by virtue of that 
office, governor of the new State. Thus North 
Carolina took another step toward independence. 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 161 

The Regulators. — On account of the oath of 
allegiance which 1Vyon had forced upon the Reg- 
ulators five years before, most of them refused to 
join in the movoment for independence. They 
regarded the oath taken at that time still binding 
and would take no part in the meetings now being 
held in the interest of the freedom of the colonies. 
Later, a large number of them joined the Ameri- 
can armies, but by far the greater number became 
Tories. 

The Minute Men. — The Hillsboro congress di- 
vided the State into five military districts, and 
authorized the enrollment of five hundred men in 
each district with instructions to be ready to 
march at a minute's notice. They were, there- 
fore, called minute men. Five Colonels were 
chosen for the districts : Edward Vail for the 
Edenton division; Richard Caswell, for Newbern ; 
Alexander Lillington, for Wilmington; Thomas 
Wade, for Salisbury ; and Nicholas Long, for 
Halifax. A short time afterward other districts 
were formed with .Griffith Rutherford, ITomas 
Polk, and James Martin as colonels. 

British Agents Among the Slaves. — In Septem- 
ber, 1775, (iovernor Martin on board the I'ritish 
gunboat. Cruiser, at the mouth of the Cape Lear 
issued a proclamation calling upon negro sla\es 
to rise against their masters and strike a blow lor 
their own freedom. Secret agents were also at 
work inciting them to acts of xiolence and ])er- 
suading them to ahnnddn their homes and enlist 
in the Uritish arms'. Such acts by the royal go\- 



162 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

ernor served only to arouse the patriots and make 
them more determined than ever to throw off the 
galling yoke of England. 

Howe's Expedition to Virgioia. — Early in De- 
cember Colonel Robert Howe, at the head of the 
second North Carolina Continental regiment 
marched into Virginia to aid the patriots there 
in expelling the royal governor, Dunmore, from 
the province. In a short but brilliant campaign 
the British government in the Old Dominion was 
overthrown, and Colonel Howe returned to North 
Carolina, where he was soon afterward rewarded 
b}^ being raised to the rank of brigadier-general. 
About the same time Colonel James Moore was 
promoted to the same rank. 

The Scovilites Defeated. — Late in the year, 1775, 
in the north-western part of South Carolina cer- 
tain Tories called Scovilites began to assemble and 
threaten trouble. As soon as the news of such 
hostile meetings became known, Colonels Ruther- 
ford, Polk, and Martin collected about nine hun- 
dred of the minute men of Western North Caro- 
lina and marched against them. Being joined by 
the South Carolina troops the two forces attacked 
the Scovilites and defeated them with great 
slaughter, killing and capturing more than four 
hundred. By that prompt and decisive act the 
royal cause in South Carolina was crushed for the 
time. 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 163 

QUESTIONS. 

1. \\^hat were the Cumberland resolutions? 

\\ ho refused to sign them ? 

2. What did the Highland Scotch do? What 

three leaders came into the State? What 
news did they bring? 

3. When and how was Fort Johnston captured? 

What was done with it? 

4. What did the Hillsboro Congress do? 

5. Tell how North Carolina became a State? 

6. W^hy did the Regulators refuse to join the 

patriots? How did they act later? 

7. Name the districts and the colonels. How 

many men from each district? 

8. Who were the minute-men? 

9. Tell about British agents among the slaves; 

Howe's campaign. 
10. Give details of the campaign against the Sco- 
vilites. 



164 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XXV. 
LIFE IN THE COLONY. 

Classes of People.— Before narrating the more 
stirring events of the Revolution, it w^ill be inter- 
esting to take a glance at social conditions exist- 
ing in North Carolina during colonial times. 
From the earliest period there w^ere several classes 
of people in the province. First, were the large 
landowners, called planters, who lived in almost 
luxury upon their plantations. Next, came the 
small landowners, who, in method and style, dif- 
fered very little from the former. The two acted 
together upon nearly all public questions. There 
were also a distinct class of men called "over- 
seers," who were employed by the large planters 
to superintend the work on the plantations and to 
control the slaves. Another class were the de- 
scendants of men who had been sold into slavery 
for crime and brought to the colony to serve out 
the period of their enslavement. These last were 
usually ignorant and indolent, but were not num- 
erous. Negro slaves constituted a very large 
class, as negro labor on the large plantations 
was found to be profitable. 

Social Life in the Colony. — As the homes of the 
large planters were a considerable distance apart 
there was little visiting among members of that 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 165 

class. Occasionall}^ however, house parties were 
given and guests for miles around gathered to 
spend a few days in dancing or other social 
amusements. Among the small landowners there 
was more freedom of intercourse, and visiting 
was more frequent. The descendants of the in- 
dented sla\es, though white, were entirely sep- 
arated socially from the other two classes and 
were not received in good society. There were 
no frequent meeting places. Once a month church 
services brought the people together. There all 
classes met, and, while waiting for the traveling 
parson, conversation became brisk and the news 
of the day was discussed. As towns were few and 
newspapers fewer the ''meeting house" was the 
popular resort not only for hearing the gospel 
preached but also for learning the happenings in 
the community. On public occasions such as 
court week or election day, men gathered in 
crowds and discussed topics of agricultural and 
political interest. It was a time also for horse- 
swapping. 

Customs and Dress.— The habits and customs of 
people of that day were very different from those 
of the present. Among the wealthy and well-to- 
do class education was extensive, but among the 
poorer classes the densest ignorance prevailed. 
These were the days of the "simple life." Fhe 
plainest manner of living was the fashion. Even 
among the wealthy, plain food and dress was the 
rule. PTospitality to the stranger or traveler was 
one of the cardinal virtues of the times. The 



166 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

latch-string always hung on the outside. It waS 
considered a grievous sin if anyone refused to give 
food and shelter to a w^ay-farer. Colonel Edward 
Buncombe, of Tyrrel County, had in large letters 
over the entrance to his grounds the' famous 
words : 

"WELCOME AEL TO BUNCOMBE HALL.'' 

The sentiment thus oddly expressed was general. 
Not only Colonel Buncombe but every one ex- 
tended a hearty welcome to all visitors or trav- 
elers. 

The dress of the men of that day was character- 
istic. Square cut coats with long-flapped waist- 
coats, knee pants, and stockings reaching high 
above the knees, large hanging cuffs and lace ruf- 
fles, square toed, short-quartered shoes with high 
red heels and small buckles, small three-cornered 
hats, and sword at the side completed the dress 
of the gentleman of that period. The costume of a 
ladv was striking also. The hair was worn clus- 
tering in curls round the back of the neck and 
shoulders. An enormous hoop held the dress ex- 
tended. The skirt was flounced and furbelowed in 
a most striking manner. Cherry colored hoods 
and scarlet stockings were worn. A black silk 
mantua and a small muff completed the attire. 

The Great House. — The master's dwelling on a 
large plantation was known as the "great house," 
not because it was very large but because it was 
larger than other houses on the place. It was 
usually a frame building, two stories high, with 



^'■>^ 







Aiiti-lk'llum Negro. 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 167 

four rooms, and a chimney at each end. Some of 
these great houses were built of brick with many 
lari^e rooms, broad halls, and wide fire-places. 

The Kitchen. — The kitchen w^as usually about 30 
yards from the "great house" and built of logs. It 
had a fire-place about twelve feet wide in one end 
of the room in which hung the pot hooks. I'he 
cooking utensils were pots, gridirons, kettles, fry- 
ing pans, sauce pans, waffle irons, and baking spid- 
ers. Each article of food was cooked in a separ- 
ate vessel over a bank of coals. The cook was 
queen of the kitchen, and was much respected, 
especially by the children of the plantation, both 
white and black. 

Negro Quarters. — Negro cabins were generally 
built of pine logs, the cracks being chinked with 
mud. The chimneys were built of sticks and mud 
and the floors of slabs. These rudely constructed 
houses, on a large plantation, were put up in rows 
with a street between, which with the great house 
near by gave the appearance of a little city. The 
slaves were comfortable in these cabins and spent 
the evenings in conversation, singing, and dancing. 
Sometimes a certain cabin became famous because 
of the marvelous tales some ''Uncle Remus" was 
accustomed to tell. Such a cabin became the re- 
sort of the children from the great house, and 
many an evening was spent by the boys and girls 
sitting in the laps of "Uncle" and ^'Auntie" and * 
listening to their wonderful tales. Perhaps, the 
most fam;)us person in the negro quarters was the 



168 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

"black mammy," a person in the estimation of the 
chil(h-en not much below father and mother. 

Hunting and Fishing. — Tn a country so sparsely 
settled as North Carolina was in the early part of 
the eighteenth century, there could be very few 
sports. Hunting was one of the most enjoyable 
recreations. Each planter owned a **pack" of. 
hounds, and on certain days the fox chase was the 
absorbing occupation for both men and women. 
Also deer and wild turkeys were abundant. Fish 
were plentiful in the sounds, rivers, and creeks, and 
fishing was, therefore, both profitable and pleasant. 

Permanence of Plantation Life. — The Revolu- 
tion (lid not overthrow these colonial customs, but 
they continued with little change until the Civil 
War of 1861-65, when the breaking up of classes 
took ])lace, bringing about a new condition and a 
new^ regime. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. Name the classes of people in the colony. 

2. Why was there little visiting among the 

planters? 

3. Which class was separated socially from the 

others? 

4. How was news distributed? Wdiat was done 

on public occasions? 

5. What was the state of education? 

6. What was the manner of living? What of 

hospitality 

7. Wdiat is said of Buncombe Hall? 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 169 

8. Describe the dress of a gentleman of that 

time ; a lady. 

9. Describe the "Great House;" the kitchen and 

utensils. 

10. How was the food cooked? How was the 

cook regarded? 

11. Describe the negro quarters. 

12. How did the slaves spend their evenings? 

13. Who was the ''black mammy?" How was 

she regarded ? 

14. What is said of hunting? Fishing? 

15. How long did colonial customs continue? 



1^0 A Child's History of North Caroling. 

GENERAL REVIEW OF THE PERIOD OF* 

EXPANSION AND GROWTH. 

173()_1775. 



STUDY OF PERSONS. 

Answer to each of the following: Who was he? 
What did he do? 



Nathaniel Rice 
Gabriel Johnston 
James Davis 
John B. Ashe 
John Brickell 
Spencer Comptori 
Mathew Rowan 
Arthur Dobbs 
Hugh Waddell 
Samuel Johnston 
Samuel Swann 
William Tryon 
John Ashe 
Rednap Howell 
Herman Husbands 
James Hassell 
James Hunter 
John Harvey 



Josiah Martin 
Richard Caswell 
Willie Jones 
Joseph Hewes 
William Hooper 
Thomas Polk 
Alexander Gaston 
Ephraim Brevard 
Abraham Alexander 
Donald A^TcDonald 
James Jack 
James Moore 
Donald McLeod 
Cornelius Harnett 
Robert Howe 
Edward Vail 
Alexanedr Lillington 
James Innes 



Period of Expansion and Growth. 171 

STUDY OF PLACES. 

Give location of each of the following places and 
tell what was done there : 

Newton Ocracoke 

Topsail Wachovia 

Tower Hill Brunswick 

Sandy Creek Hillsboro 

Salisbury Alamance Creek 

Charlotte Fort Johnston 

IMPORTANT EVENTS. 

Give the principal incidents of the following' 
events : 

1. Stamp Act trouble. 

2. Battle of Alamance. 

3. Flight of the Royal Governor. 

4. Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence 



INDEPENDENCE AND NATIONALITY. 
1775_1789. 

CHAPTER XXVl. 
BATTLE OF MOORE'S CREEK BRIDGE. 

British Invasion Threatened. — On board the 
British gunboat, Cruiser, at the mouth of the Cape 
Fear River, Governor Martin received the new^s of 
the Mecklenburg Declaration with unfeigned an- 
ger. He wrote to the English secretary of State 
in London as follows: "The resolves of the com- 
mittee of Mecklenburg, which your lordship will 
find in the enclosed newspaper, surpasses all the 
horrid and treasonable publications that the in- 
flammatory spirits of the continent have yet pro- 
duced. The copy of the resolves were sent off. 
I am informed, by express to the Congress at 
Philadelphia as soon as they were passed in the 
Committee." 

In order to check the spirit of liberty which 
seemed so general in North Carolina, Governor 
Martin sent a messenger to General Gage in Bos- 
ton, asking him to send a IJritish army to the 
Cape r\'ar, promising to have ten thousand ^Fories 
in arms to assist in the conquest of the province. 
General Ciage, the Commander-in chief of the Brit- 



174 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

ish forces in America, promised to send General 
Clinton with a powerful army early in the fol- 
lowing year. 

Clinton Sends Word. — About the first of Janu- 
ary, 1776, word came (to the Highlanders on the 
Cape Fear) that General Clinton was coming to 
attack Wirmington about the last of February 
and was expecting a large number of the king's 
friends to meet him there. His plan was to seize 
Wilmington, use it as a base of operations, and 
from that point send out his forces to overrun the 
State. 

Gathering of the Highlanders. — As soon as the 
message from Clinton was received, General Don- 
ald McDonald raised the royal standard at Cross 
Creek and invited all who wished to uphold Brit- 
ish rule in North Carolina to join him. At once 
the Scottish pibrochs began to sound and the 
clans to assemble. "King George and broad- 
swords" was the rallying cry, and soon two thou- 
sand men had been enrolled. About five hundred 
Regulators also flocked to the king's standard. 

Flora McDonald. — At that time there lived at 
Cross Creek, Cumberland County, a very celebrated 
woman named Flora McDonald. She was the 
wife of Alan McDonald, one of the Scottish lead- 
ers, and had come with her husband to North 
Carolina in 1774. In Scotland, her native land 
she had once saved the life of Prince Charles 
pretender to the English throne, after the disas- 
trous battle of Culloden, and had become famous. 
After comine: to North Carolina she and her hus- 



Independence and Nationality. 175 

band took the side of the king against the colonies 
and became staunch Tories. They were active at 
this time in rallying the Highlanders aad in or- 
ganizing them for war. 

The Whig Forces Assemble. — To meet this in- 
vasion under Clinton from without and to check 
the Tories from within, the patriots had only a 
small force under arms. General James Moore 
with the first North Carolina continental regiment 
was near Brunswick and was endeavoring to keep 
his forces between the British fleet and the Tories. 
Colonel Alexander Lillington, with about one 
hundred minute-men, was in Wilmington. Colo- 
nel Kenan, with the Duplin county militia, was 
near at hand. The militia of other counties was 
being collected for any emergency. 

General Moore at Rockfish. — When it became 
known that the I'ories were assembled at Cross 
Creek and getting ready to begin their march to 
the coast, (General Moore and Colonel Lillington 
hastened up from Wilmington and posted them- 
selves at Rockfish in Cumberland county on the 
road from Cross Creek to Wilmington. Here 
they were reinforced by Colonel Kenan with two 
hundred men and Captain John Ashe with one 
hundred. Other forces were hurrying to their 
assistance also. Colonel James Martin was com- 
ing from (iuilford county ; Colonel James Thack- 
ston was leading a small force from Anson and 
Robison Counties; and Colonel Richard Caswell, 
with eight hundred men, was hurrying from New- 
bern. 



176 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Caswell at Moore's Creek. — Caswell came up 
and occupied Moore's Creek bridge, which was on 
the direct road from Cross Creek to Wilmington 
about fourteen miles from the latter place. There 
he fortified his position on the right bank of the 
creek opposite to the one the Tories were on. 
General Moore, finding out that the Tories were 
marching past him at Rockfish toward Wilming- 
ton, sent Colonel Lillington and Captain Ashe 
with two hundred and fifty men to the assistance 
of Colonel Caswell at Moore's Creek. With an 
effective force, therefore, of about one thousand 
men Caswell awaited the coming of the Tories 
on their way to join Clinton at Wilmington. 

Attack and Defeat of the Tories. — Reaching 
Moore's Creek on the evening of February 26th 
the Tories found the bridge torn up and the pat- 
riots strongly posted in the other side. General 
Donald McDonald was ill and Colonel Duncan 
McLeod, the next in command, waited until next 
day to attempt a crossing. Early on the morning 
of February 27th the bagpipes began to sound 
and the Scotish battle cry to be heard. McLeod 
at the head of a chosen body of men marched up 
in front of Caswell and demanded the surrender 
of the Whigs. Colonel Caswell replied that he 
came there to fight, not to surrender. McLeod 
shouted to his men to follow him as he began to 
cross the creek on the girders. He was followed 
by Colonel Campbell and others. The patriots 
opened fire upon the Tories. McLeod fell pierced 
by twenty-six bullets. Campbell and others were 



Independence and Nationality. 177 

killed before they had crossed. Others attempted 
to follow but shared the same fate, l^hen others 
still, but the steady and unerring fire of Caswell's 
men beat them back. Seeing the Tories hesitate 
Caswell ordered a charge across the creek and 
made an attack upon the entire line. The Tories 
were unable to withstand the charge and fled 
from the field. 

Capture of the Tory Camp. — Caswell pursued 
the fleeing enemy eight miles and captured their 
camp with eight hundred men. Both Donald and 
Alan McDonald were among the prisoners. The 
spoils of the camp were considerable. There fell 
into the hands of the Whigs, besides the prisoners 
thirteen wagons and teams, eighteen hundred 
stands of arms, one hundred and fifty swords, and 
seventy-five thousand dollars in gold. This sweep- 
ing victor}^ was accomplished with a loss to the 
patriots of only one man killed and two wounded. 
This was a death blow to the king's cause in 
North Carolina. The Tories that escaped death 
or capture fled in every direction, finally finding 
their way home where they remained peaceful dur- 
ing the remainder of the war. This was the first 
victory for the patriot cause in the Rexolutionary 
war. 



178 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Locate Cross Creek; Fayetteville. 

2. Point out Moore's Creek; Rockfish. 

3. What did Governor Martin determine to do? 

Whom did he ask for aid? 

4. What did he promise General Gage? What 

message did Clinton send? 

5. What was Clinton's plan? 

6. Where did the Highlanders gather? What 

was the rallying cry? 

7. How many Tories assembled? Tell the story 

of Flora McDonald. 

8. What forces did the patriots have? Tell 

about Moore's movements. 

9. What other forces were coming to his as- 

sistance? 

10. Where did Caswell post himself? How 

many men were with him? 

11. Where were the Tories going? Who com- 

manded them? 

12. Give the full story of the battle. What 

booty was captured? 



Independence and Nationality. 179 



CHAPTER XXVII. 
THE YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE. 

Eager for Liberty. — After the battle of Moore's 
Creek Bridge, it was seen that reconciliation with 
England was out of the question. Those whc 
had clung to the hope of a peaceful settlement of 
the difficulties were now forced to cast their for- 
tune either for or against the independence of the 
colonies. The sentiment in North Carolina for 
National Independence had been growing ever 
since the Mecklenburg Declaration and was now 
at fever heat. In other colonies also the desire 
for freedom was becoming irresistible. 

The Halifax Congress. — The Provincial congress 
met at Halifax, April 4, 1776. Soon after assemb- 
ling it was seen that the sentiment for independ- 
ence was universal. The only difference of opin- 
ion was as to the best way to go about it. After 
a few days of debate the question was referred to 
a committee, of which Cornelius Harnett was 
chairman. 

The Resolution Passed. — April 12th the com- 
mittee made the report, which contained the fol- 
lowing resolution: 

"Resolved, that the delegates of this colony m 
the continental conjrress be empowered to concui 



180 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

with the delegates of the other colonies in declar- 
ing independence, and forming foreign alliances 
reserving to the colony the sole and exclusive 
right of forming a constitution and laws for this 
colony and of appointing delegates from time to 
time to meet the delegates of the other colonies 
for such purposes as may be hereafter pointed 
out." 

The resolution was unanimously adopted. It 
marked an epoch in the history of the State, being 
the first expression for national independence that 
had been made in all America. 

Clinton on the Cape Fear. — As he had promised 
Sir Henry Clinton with thirty-six vessels of war 
and an army of invasion came into the Cape Fear 
about the last of February. When he approached 
Wilmington, however, he found General James 
Moore w^ith a well disciplined force ready to resist 
him, for Moore had hurried from Rockfish when 
he heard of the approach of the British. 

A British Proclamation. — May 5th, 1776, Gen- 
eral Clinton, on board his flag-ship, issued a proc- 
lamation declaring that a wicked rebellion existed 
in North Carolina and calling upon all friends of 
the king to assist in putting it down. He also 
offered pardon to all who were in arms if they 
would at once lay down their arms. Robert 
Howe and Cornelius Harnett were excluded by 
name, as they had offended his majesty too deeply 
for pardon. The proclamation was barren of re- 
sults as no friends of the king joined the British 



Independence and Nationality. 181 

standard. Clinton, in liis rage, therefore, sent a 
small force into Brunswick County and wantonly 
burned the residence of General Howe and sailed 
away to Charleston, South Carolina. There he 
met with armed resistance from the South Caro- 
lina troops, assisted by two North Carolina com- 
panies, in his attack on Fort Moultrie, and, after 
a hotly contested battle on June 28th, was forced 
to withd^a^^^ 

Indian Uprising in the West. — John Stuart, a 
British agent among the Indians, had been work- 
ing among the Cherokees for a long time, trying 
to persuade them to take up arms against the 
patriots. At last in the summer of 1776, he suc- 
ceeded in getting them to fall upon the settle- 
ments beyond the Great Smoky mountains in 
what is now Tennessee, and before they could be 
checked two hundred of the settlers had been 
slain. To reduce these savages to submission 
'General Rutherford was sent out in July, the 
same year. With an army of two thousand men 
Retherford crossed the Blue Ridge at the Swan- 
nanoa gap, fought the Indians near where Frank- 
lin now stands, and like a whirl-wind, descended 
into the valley of the Tennessee, during the sav- 
?iges before him and burning their towns and 
crops. He was assisted in this campaign by 
Colonel Williamson with a South Carolina force 
that had also been sent against the Indians. In 
a short time the savages were suing for peace. 

Independence Proclaimed. — Late in July it be- 
came known in Xorth Carolina that the Continen- 



182 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

tal Congress at Philadelphia had passed a national 
Declaration of Independence on July 4th. The 
news was received with rejoicing everywhere and 
the resolutions as passed were read at every court- 
house door in the colony. At Halifax, August 1st 
the reading of the Declaration was made a great 
patriotic event. A great crowd of people assem- 
bled and Cornelius Harnett read the resolutions 
to the cheering multitude. 

First Governor Elected. — Tn November, 1776 
the first State Convention met at Halifax, adopted 
a constitution on the I8th and immediately or- 
ganized a State government. The convention 
selected Richard Caswell, the hero of Moore's 
Creek Bridge, as the first governor under the 
new constitution. He at once took the oath of 
office and began the direction of affairs at this 
critical time. North Carolina was one of the first 
States to organize a regular government, 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Point out the Great Smoky Mountains. 

2. Trace the course of the Blue Ridge Moun- 

tains. 

3. Where is Franklin? the Tennessee river? 

4. What was the feeling in the colony about in- 

dependence after the battle of Moore's 
Creek Bridge? 

5. What did the Provincial Congress at Hali- 

fax do? 

6. What lead did North Carolina thus take? 



Independence and Nationality. 183 

7. What did General Clinton find on the Cape 

Fear? 

8. Tell about the proclamation that was issued? 

9. What two men were excluded from the par- 

don? 

10. Give an account of the attack upon Charles- 

ton. 

11. \\'hat were the Indians in the west doing? 

12. Tell what General Rutherford did. 

13. Give an account of the reading of the Declar- 

ation at Halifax. 

14. Give an account of the Halifax convention. 

15. Who was the first governor under the new 

constitution? 



184 A Child's History of North Carolina^ 



CHAPTER XXYIIL 

PARTISAN WARFARE IN THE NORTH- 
WEST. 

Conflicting Interests. — In many counties in the 
State there was a considerable number of Tories 
They were very active in trying to uphold the 
authority of King George, but the Whigs were 
more active in trying to overthrow it. In conse- 
quence of these conflicting interests, therefore, an 
almost ceaseless warfare raged in many neigh- 
Vigilance Committees. — Vigilance committees 
wxre appomted in every county where there were 
Tories. These committees were to keep watch 
upon all persons suspected of being friendly to the 
king's cause. They had power to arrest such 
suspected persons, bring them before the com- 
mittees of safety, and force them to either swear 
allegiance to the State and the Continental Con- 
gress or to leave the county. It often happened 
that those who refused to take the oath were 
treated with a coat of tar and feathers and made 
to ride a rail out of the neighborhood. By such 
means the patriots in most counties were able to 
keep the Tory influence in subjection. 

In the Forks of the Yadkin. — In the Forks of 
the Yadkin River, then a part of Rowan County, 
the Whigs and Tories were nearly equal in num- 



Independence and Nationality. 185 

ber. Conflicts were almost of daily occurrence. 
A military company had been in existence there 
for a long time with Samuel Bryan as captain and 
Richmond Pearson as lieutenant, Bryan being a 
Tory and Pearson a Whig. The Whig members 
of the company wished to volunteer for the service 
of the State, but the Tory members opposed it. 
There was, therefore, considerable strife in the 
meetings. Captain Bryan urged the company to 
declare for the king, but Lieutenant Pearson vio-= 
lently objected to it, and the two men, on one! 
occasion on the drill ground almost came to 
blows. Bryan ordered Pearson under arrest, but 
the Whig members of the company resisted the 
order. Finally, it was agreed that at an appointed 
time and place Bryan and Pearson should settle 
the matter by a fair fist fight, and whoever was 
victorious in the fight, to him the company should 
yield obedience. Pearson was winner and the 
company was saved to the State, while Bryari 
went farther up the river, organized another com- 
pany, and later joined the British in South Caro^ 
Una. 

This incident shows how slightly people, iri 
some neighborhoods, were held to the cause of 
the colonics, or what events some times turned 
the tide cither to the one side or the other. 

The Northwestern Counties. — In what are novv 
Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and W^atauga Counties ai 
most cruel partisian warfare raged in the early 
part of 1776. The Tories were numerous and 
seemed determined to force those counties to re- 



186 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

main faithful to England, while the Whigs, led 
by Colontds Cleveland, Winston, Lenoir, Martin 
and Williams, were equally bold in their deter- 
mination to put down the Tory influence. The 
conflict was long and bitter, resulting finally in 
the expulsion of the greater part of the Tories, 
who fled to the Indians of the Great Smoky 
Mountains, or to the British in South Carolina. 

Colonel Benjamin Cleveland. — The hero and 
warhorse of all these partisan conflicts was Colo- 
nel Benjamin Cleveland, who lived in Wilkes 
County. Colonel Cleveland was a fearless and un- 
compromising patriot. He hated the very name 
of Tory and could not bear the sight of one. 
During the partisan warfare that raged inces- 
santly for more than a year in that part of the 
State, he met the Tories in many conflicts and 
rarely ever allowed one of them to escape. When- 
ever a Tory was captured and brought before him 
he either had a hanging or a whipping. 

Cleveland Captured by the Tories. — On one oc- 
casion, Cleveland being separated from his com- 
mand, was captured by the Tories and taken into 
the woods near Riddle Knob, Watauga County, 
and ordered on pain of instant death to write 
passes for certain Tories through his lines. Cleve- 
land was a poor penman, but a good thinker. 
With a log for a writing desk he pretended to be 
writing tbe passes, but he was killing as much 
time as possible. He fumbled with his pen a 
good while anxiously hoping that some of his 
men wouM come upon the scene, and he was not 



Independence and Nationality. 187 

disappointed in this. Before he had finished 
writing the passes, Captain Robert Cleveland, his 
brother, at the head of a body of patriots, came 
dashing upon them. Colonel Cleveland dodged 
behind the log, upon w^hich he had been writing, 
to escape the bullets which began to fly. After 
a short conflict the Tories were beaten and fled 
in terror. Some weeks afterwards Cleveland 
captured the same band, and forthwith had their 
leader hanged. 

No Tories in Bute. — While many counties of 
the State were oppressed and overrun by the 
Tories there were some sections practically free 
from their presence. "There are no Tories in 
Bute" was a saying well known at the time. 
Bute county was afterward divided into Franklin 
and Warren, and those counties have the worthy 
distinction of having had no Tories during the 
Revolution. None were allowed to live in the 
Rocky River settlement in Cabarrus County, Very 
few were found in the extreme eastern counties 
but large numbers lived in the Piedmont and 
mountain sections. 



MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Trace the Yadkin river. 

2. Point out Stokes County ; Surry ; Wilkes ; 

Watauga; Franklin; Warren; Cabarrus. 

3. What did the 1 ories try to do in many coun- 

ties? 



188 A Child*s History of North Carolina. 

4. For what were viligance committees ap- 

pointed? How were Tories treated? 

5. Give story of the conflict between Bryan and 

Pearson. 

6. What did Bryan do after his defeat? 

7. What was going on in the northwestern 

counties? What result? 

8. Relate the story of Colonel Cleveland. 

9. Name some of the patriot leaders in that part 

of the State. 
10. Name parts of North Carolina that had no 
Tories? Where were they numerous? 



Independence and Nationality. 189 



CHAPTER XXIX. 
FOUR UNEVENTFUL YEARS. 

Comparatie Peace. — Although the Revolution- 
ary war was being waged with bitterness in other 
States, there was comparative peace in North Car- 
olina during the years 1776 to 1780, except for 
occasional conflicts between the Whigs and Tories. 
The Highlanders, after their signal defeat at 
Moore's Creek Bridge, remained quiet and at- 
tended to their daily duties during the remainder 
of the war. Many of the Regulators joined the 
patriot cause, but by far the larger number con- 
tinued faithful to the king, but inactive. The 
Cherokees remembered the crushing defeat given 
them by Rutherford and remained in their moun- 
tain wigwams. 

North Carolina at Germantown. — In the North 
the American army under (ieneral Washington 
suffered several defeats in 1776. At the close of 
that year the term of enlistment of many of the 
men had expired, and at the beginning of the cam- 
paign of 1777, Washington had only about seven 
thousand men with which to meet thirty thousand 
British. To relieve that distressing condition 
(iovernor Casw^ell sent four thousand North Caro- 
linians to join the continental army at Philadel- 
phia. Cicneral Francis Nash, Colonel Edward 



190 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Buncombe, Colonel Jethro Sumner and other gal- 
lant officers were in command. With these rein- 
forcements Washington was able to give battle 
at Brandywine and again at Germantown, but was 
defeated at both places. In the latter battle Gen- 
eral Nash was slain and Colonel Edward Bun- 
combe mortally wounded while leading their com- 
mands against the enemy. Many of the rank and 
file were also slain in these disastrous battles. 

Gathering of Tories at St. Augustine. — Early in 
1776, John Hamilton, a Tory merchant of Halifax 
considering it unsafe to remain longer in his home 
town, left North Carolina and went to St. Augus- 
tine, Fla., where he set up the standard of King 
George and invited the sympathizers of the royal 
cause in North Carolina and the South to join 
him. In a brief time he found himself at the head 
of a well equipped regiment of North Carolinians 
who had fled from their homes as soon as the pat- 
riots had begun to take charge of matters in their 
neighborhoods. This regiment of Tories with 
Hamilton at their head joined the British army 
in the South and became an important part of 
Cornwallis' army of invasion a few years later. 

Disaster in Georgia. — General Robert Howe had 
been put in command of the American forces in 
Georgia in 1778. He had with him several regi- 
ments of North Carolina soldiers besides those of 
the Georgia and South Carolina lines. In De- 
cember of that year he was attacked at Savannah 
by an overwhelming British force and compelled 
to retreat, giving up the whole of southern Geor- 



Independence and Nationality. 191 

gia to the enemy. Howe was seversly criticized 
on account of this defeat and, at his own request, 
was shortly afterward relieved of his command 
and appomted to the command of a division in 
the army of the north, where he served with dis- 
tinction the remainder of the war. March 3, 
1779, General John Ashe, was defeated at Briar 
Creek on the Savannah River by a superior British 
force under General Prevost. North Carolina 
troops suffered greatly in these two disastrous 
defeats. 

Georgia Overrun by the British. — After these 
two signal defeats, Georgia was completely over- 
run, the Whig government overthrown, and a 
Tory government set up. The patriot troops that 
escaped the disasters at Savannah and Brier Creek 
fled to South Carolina and joined the army of the 
South, in command of General Benjamin Lincoln 
at Charleston, thus leaving Georgia to the mercy 
of the British. 

Articles of Confederation. — Soon after the Dec- 
laration of Independence was signed at Philadel- 
phia, July 4, 1776, the Thirteen States entered 
into an agreement with one another to act to- 
gether in resisting the designs of the British gov- 
ernment and in achieving the independence which 
had been declared. North Carolina's three rep- 
resentatives, William Hooper, John Penn, and 
Joseph Hewes, who had signed the Declaration 
and committed their lives, their fortunes, and their 
sacred honor to its achievement, now united with 
other rcDresentatives in drawing up a form of gov- 



192 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

ernment for the mutual advantage and protection 
of the States during the continuance of the war 
This instrument of government, called the Arti- 
cles of Confederation, w^as submitted to the people 
of the States for their approval. The Articles 
w^ere approved by North Carolina in 1778. 

Confiscation of Tory Property. — All property in 
the State owned by Tories was seized by the gov- 
ernment in 1776 and held in trust. A confiscation 
act was passed by the General Assembly in 1778 
giving the State the right not only to seize and 
appropriate the property of Tories, but also to 
take possession of all lands in the State owned by 
persons living in England. Lands belonging to 
Lord Granville, Governor Tryon, Governor Mar- 
tin and other English subjects thus passed for- 
ever from their possession. 

John Paul Jones. — In 1776, through the influence 
of Joseph Hewes, member of the Continental Con- 
gress from North Carolina, John Paul Jones, who 
afterwards became the first Admiral of the Ameri- 
can navy, was appointed Captain of the gunboat 
Ranger. Jones, who was a native of Scotland 
was at that time living at Halifax. His name was 
John Paul, but he had taken the name of Jones 
after commg to North Carolina in compliment, it 
is said, to Willie Jones, of Halifax, who had be- 
friended him and introduced him to Joseph Hewes. 
John Paul Jones afterwards became the most fam- 
out man in the American navy, and performed 
many deeds of heroism and daring on the sea. 



Independence and Nationality. 193 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Germantown? St. Augustine? 

Savannah? Brier Creek? 

2. What was the condition of the State from 

1776 to 1780? 

3. What were the Highlanders, Regulators and 

Indians doing? 

4. What was the condition of \\^ashington's 

army in 1777? 

5. What reinforcement did Caswell send Wash- 

ington? 

6. Tell something of the battle and losses at 

Germantown? 

7. When and how did Hamilton raise a regi- 

ment of Tories? 

8. What disaster occurred in (Georgia? 

9. Where was General Howe sent and why? 

10. How was Georgia treated by the British? 

11. What became of the Whig forces in Georgia? 

12. What kind of a Confederation was adopted 

in 1778? 

13. A\'hat was done with Tory and British prop- 

erty in the State? 

14. Was that treatment right? XMio lost estates? 

15. Give the facts about John Paul Jones. 



194 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XXX. 
BATTLE OF RAMSEUR'S MILL. 

Fall of Charleston. — In May, 1780, after a seige 
of several months, Charleston, S. C, was surrend- 
ered to the British. General Benjamin Lincoln 
who had succeeded General Robert Howe in com- 
mand of the army of the South, and about five 
thousand American soldiers became prisoners of 
war. More than three thousand North Carolina 
veterans were among them. South Carolina was 
now at the mercy of the invaders, and British 
solders were marching hither and thither to put 
down in that State the last vestige of resistance 
to the king. 

Conquest of North Carolina Threatened. — Aftei 
Cornwallis, the British leader, had completed the 
conquest of South Carolina, he began to make 
preparation to march into North Carolina to carry 
out his scheme of further conquest, which was 
first to seize Charlotte, organize a Tory govern- 
ment at Hillsboro, and march north to finish hT^ 
southern campaign by the subjugation .of Virginia 
Accordingly, he sent Colonel Tarleton with his 
dragoons toward the North Carolina line, and, at 
the same time, dispatched Lord Rawdon with a 
considerable infantry force against Charlotte, 



Independence and Nationality. 195 

while he himself lingered behind to bring up the 
main army. 

Rising of the Tories. — The success of the British 
in South Carolina and Georgia had greatly en- 
couraged the North Carolina Tories, and they be- 
gan to assemble in large numbers at different 
points ready to join Cornwallis as soon as he 
should come into the State. Hundreds of them 
gathered at Ramseur's Mill, Colson's Mill, and the 
Forks of the Yadkin, and awaited Cornwallis' 
bugle call. 

North Carolina Patriots. — North Carolina, how- 
ever, was not crouching at the feet of the con- 
queror. Nearly all the regular troops of the State 
.had been lost, it is true, by the fall of Charleston 
but the militia was still active and vigilant. Cas- 
well, upon his retirement from the governorship 
in December, had been made brigadier-general of 
the State troops in the eastern district. General 
(iriffith Rutherford w^is in command of the west- 
ern division. These two wide-awake officers were 
active in maintaining their forces and in watching 
the enemy. Hesidcs, there were two other officers 
that w^re vigilant in this time of trial and danger 
These were Colonel William L. Davidson and 
Major William R. Davie. Governor Abner Nash, 
who had succeeded Caswell, exerted hin-iself to 
have the militia in as fine shape as possible to 
withstand the threatened invasion. 

Assembling of the Patriots. — About the First of 
June, 17(S0, (ieneral Rutherford issued a call for 
all Datriots of his district to irather at Charlotte 



196 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

to resist the expected attack. Nine hundred men 
obeyed the call. Tarleton heard of this and re- 
treated toward Charleston. Rutherford organized 
the militia into companies of minute men, and 
dismissed them with instructions to reassemble 
at a minute's notice. In a few days it was learned 
that Lord Rawdon, with a strong British force 
was advancing toward Charlotte and that the 
Tories were assembling in large numbers at vari- 
ous places. To meet this great danger both from 
without and within General Rutherford called for 
the minute men to muster at McRee's Plantation 
on June 12th. About one thousand responded 
and these were divided into three corps. Majoi 
Davie was given the command of the cavalry. 
The light infantry, consisting of three hundred 
picked men, was assigned to Colonel Davidson 
who had served with distinction under General 
Washington in the army of the North. General 
Rutherford assumed immediate command of the 
remainder. The three commands moved by con- 
certed act'on to meet Rawdon. That officer, how- 
ever, did not await their approach, but retired to 
Camden, South Carolina, to join Cornwallis. 

Expedition Against the Tories. — Rutherford, 
finding that Rawdon was in full retreat, resolved 
to attack and disperse the Tories. Accordingly 
he sent Colonel Francis Locke and Major David 
Wilson, with about three hundred men, to watch 
the movements of the Tories, and if possible, to 
attack and disperse them. Locke and Wilson 
were joined later by Colonels Joseph McDowell 



Independence and Nationality. 197 

Jind Hugh Brevard with small forces. Other re- 
cruits were added as they proceeded until the 
little army numbered about four hundred men 
Colonel Locke had information that Colonel John 
Moore anJ Major Nicholas Welch, two notorious 
Tories, had asse-ibled thirteen hundred men at 
Ramseur's Mill in what is now Lincoln County, 
and were ready to join the British army as soon 
as Cornw^allls should enter the State. 
^ Battle of Ramseur's Mill. — Locke moved cau- 
tiously against the Tories and arrived on June 19th 
within sixteen miles of their camp. At a councd 
of war it was decided that, notwithstanding the 
Tories had a superior force, the patriot army 
should march to the neighborhood of the Tory 
Camp before daybreak and attack them at sunrise 
The plan was carried out and the attack made 
resulting in a decisive victory for the patriots and 
a compleie rout of the Tories. Tn the battle 
which raged fiercely for several hours, the' two 
commands became so mixed that the only way 
that Whigs and Tories could be distinguished 
froni each other was by the sprigs of green pine 
on the caps of the Tories and pieces of white 
paper on those of the Whigs. Friends, neighbors 
and relatives were pitted against each other in 
this blody struggle. Colonel Moore, with about 
sixty-five Tories, found his way to Cornwallis in 
South Carolina, but the rest of the command were 
either killed, captured or dispersed bevond the 
chance of leassembling. About three hundred lay 
dead or wounded on the field. General Ruther- 



198 A Child's History of North Carolina\ 

ford arrived after the battle had ended, and a few 
days thereafter marched to the Forks of the Yad- 
kin and dispersed Colonel Bryan's regiment of 
Tories that had begun to collect at that point 
Colonel Davidson marched against the loyalists; 
at Colson's Mill, drove them from their position 
with considerable loss, and dispersed them; but 
was himself severely wounded in the conflict. 
Thus North Carolina was saved for a time frorrt 
invasion. 



MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Point out on the map Lincolnton ; Camden. 

2. How many North Carolina troops were lost 

at Charleston? 

3. What did Cornwallis begin to do after the 

conquest of South Carolina? 

4. Where did he send Tarlton and Rawd^on? 

5. At what points did the Tories assemble? 

6. What North Carolina patriots are mentioned? 

7. Tell how the patriots were organized in June 

8. Why did Tarleton retreat? Rawdon? 

9. How did the minuet men organize? 

10. Whom did Rutherford send against the Tories 

at. Remseur's Mill? 

11. Give names of other leaders. 

12. How did the two armies compare in num- 

bers? 

13. Give an account of the battle, 

14. What were the losses? 

15. Where were other conflicts? 



Independence and Nationality. 199 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

THE HORNETS' NEST. 

Davie at Hanging Rock. — When Colonel Bryan 
fled from the Forks of the Yadkin with his Tory 
regiment, on the approach of Colonel Rutherford 
Major Davie at the head of his dragoons hastened 
to the Waxhaw settlement, in what in now Union 
County, hoping to intercept him at that point. 
Bryan had passed before Davie's arrival, and, with 
about eight hundred Tories, joined the British 
garison at Hanging Rock, South Carolina. Davie 
continued his march to the neighborhood of the 
British position, and, there meeting a regiment of 
South Carolina troops under Colonel Sumter, the 
two commands made a vigorous attack upon the 
enemy in their entrenchments. It happened that 
during the bloody conflict that followed, Davie's 
dragoons wore pitted against Bryan's regiment 
North Carolinians against North Carolinians, and 
each command met foemen worthy of their steel. 
Davie charged the Tory lines with spirit and 
after a hand to hand struggle routed and drove 
them from the field with heavy losses. 11ie 
British regulars, however, stood their ground and 
the patriots withdrew after having inflicted upon 
the enemy a loss of over two hundred dead and 
wounded. 



200 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Disastrous Battle at Camden. — Tn the summer 
of 1780, Cicncral Horatio Gates, the victor at Sara- 
toga, was put in command of the American army 
in the South. Before the troops were in a con- 
dition for an active campaign. Gates on August 
15th, advanced against Cornwallis at Camden. 
South Carolina, intending to surprise him by a 
night attack. At the same time Cornwallis had 
set out to attack Gates. The two armies met m 
the darkness of the night, drew back from each 
other, and waited for daylight. Tn the battle that 
followed, on the 16th of August, the American 
army was totally defeated and almost entirely 
destroyed. The North Carolina soldiers performed 
heroic service, but it was all in vain. General 
Rutherford, with his North Carolinians, com- 
manded the centre, and was severely wounded 
while cheering on his men, falling at last with the 
greater part of his command into the hands of the 
British. General Caswell led his men' successfully 
until his left became exposed to a flfank attack by 
the flight of Stevens' Virginians, when he retreated 
from the field. General Isaac Gregory, who led a 
brigade from eastern North Carolina, was also 
severely wounded and forced to ffee. Colonel 
^'Hal" Dixon's regiment of North Carolinians and 
DeKalb's Marylanders maintained their ground 
and beat back every advance of the enemy until 
DcKalb was himself slain and the two commands 
completely outflanked, when Dixon retreated in 
good order and escaped capture. More than half 
of the North Carolina line was either killed or cap- 



Independence and Nationality. 2(31 

turcd in this disastrous battle. General Gates 
who never issued a command during the battle 
fled early in the conflict and did not stop until he? 
reached Hillsboro, more than a hundred miles from 
the scene of the battle. After delaying a few days 
at Camden, Cornwallis began to move against 
Charlotte. There was no force to oppose his ad- 
vance except Davie's dragoons, who had not been 
In the battle of Camden. 

Davie Retards the British Advance. — Major 
Davie hung on the rear and flanks of the British 
as they advanced into North Carolina, and wafi 
ever on the alert for an opportunity to strike 
Cornwallis a blow. Sometimes, at full speed, his 
dragoons would charge directlv into the vanguard 
of the British army and be off before Cornwallis 
could order a counter charge. Again, they would 
gallop round to the rear of the enemy, put spurs 
to their horses, and ride into the midst of a wagon 
train, striking down horses and drivers in great 
confusion, and retreat before reinforcements could 
be sent to the scene. Thus Davie and his dragoons 
gave Cornwallis no little trouble as he advanced 
toward Charlotte. 

Attack on Charlotte. — About the last of Septem- 
ber, 1780, the P)ritish came in sight of the village 
of Charlotte. Davie's dragoons had gotten there 
ahead of them and had taken post behind a stone- 
wall near the Courthouse, determined to give the 
mvaders a taste of what they might expect if they 
remained in North Carolina. Cornwallis urged his 
men forward to an atti'^'': upon the patriots behind 



502 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

the stonewall. The dragoons poured upon them a 
destructive fire and the redcoats fled in terror 
Cornwallis ordered them a second time to the 
charge, but again they were beaten back with loss 
Seeing his men driven back by a handful of 
patriots, Cornwallis sent a detachment to attack 
the dragoons in the rear. Davie then sounded a 
retreat, and the heroic little band retired toward 
Salisbury, pursued by a superior British force 
Several times during the retreat Davie turned upon 
his pursuers and inflicted severe loss. In this 
skirmish and retreat the British lost about fifty 
killed and wounded, while the patriots lost ten 
Major Joseph Graham was severely wounded on 
the retreat* 

Affair at Mclntyre^s. — While at Charlotte, Corn- 
wallis sent out several parties to get provisions for 
his men. One of these parties, consisting of four 
hundred men, was sent to Mclntyre's farm, about 
seven miles from Charlotte to bring back loads of 
farm products. As the foraging party proceeded 
word was sent from house to house that they 
were coming. Mr. Mclntyre and his family fled to 
the woods, and sent out to gather assistance to 
drive the invaders back. Major George Graham 
and a few daring men came to the rescue. The 
British came to the farm and loaded up their 
wagons with meat, chickens, fruit, and vegetables 
Just as the foragers were ready to return to 
Charlotte, the patriots hidden in the woods crept 
up as close as they could and fired a volley into 
their midst, killing and wounding several. There 



Independence and Nationality. 203 

was great confusion among the British as the 
bullets began to fly. Plucking up courage their 
men-at-arms charged into the woods, but they 
could not find the patriots, and so gave up the 
fight, fleeing in haste toward Charlotte. The 
patriots pursued them to the town, inflicting upon 
them a loss of twenty-seven killed and wounded 
The British, in their terror, declared the country 
was full of rebels and every bush along the road 
concealed one or more. Corilwallis himself said 
that the counties of Mecklenburg and Rowan were 
more hostile to England than any in America. He 
had gotten into a hornets' nest by coming to 
Charlotte. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Locate the following: Hanging Rock, Wax- 

haw, Camden, Salisbury. 

2. Why did Davie go to the Waxham settle- 

mcnt? 

3. Tell of his attack on Hanging Rock. 

4. (iive a brief account of the battle of Camdert 

5. What North Carolina officers were in the 

battle? 

6. How did the defeat open North Carolina to 

invasion? 

7. When did Cornwallis begin his advance upon 

Charlotte? 

8. How did Major Davie annoy him? 

9. (live an account of the conflict at Charlotte. 

10. Give an account of the aff'air at Mclntyre's. 

11. What did Cornwallis say of Mecklenburg and 

Rowan? 



204 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XXXIL 
BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 

Mission of Colonel Ferguson. — ^Before Cornwallis 
left Camden for Charlotte, where he got into a 
hornets' nest, he sent Colonel Patrick Ferguson 
with one hundred and fifty men to western North 
Carolina to roUse the Tories and to secure provi- 
sions. Ferguson was one of the bravest and most 
skillful officers in the British army. Cornwallis had 
great confidence in him and expected complete 
success from the expedition. After several battles 
with the patriots under Colonels Shelby and Mc- 
Dowell near the boundary of North and South 
Carolina, Ferguson advanced to Gilberttown in 
what is now Rutherford County. While encamped 
there he issued a proclamation calling upon all 
Tories in the western counties to join him, and 
commanding all rebels to the king to disperse and 
become again loyal subjects of England. About 
twelve hundred Tories jomed him, but the patriots 
instead of being alarmed, began to lay plans for 
Ferguson's overthrow. 

Message to Colonel Shelby. — Ferguson sent 3 
message to Colonel Isaac Shelby, a sturdy patriot 
living in what is now East Tennessee, command- 
ing him to disband his forces and immediately 
swear allegiance to the king, threatening in case 







o 



-a 
H 



Independence and Nationality. 205 

of a refusal to come with his army to burn the 
homes and put to the sword every rebel in that 
part of the country. Shelby was not frightened at 
such threats, and sent Ferguson word to do his 
worst. The hardy settlers in the valleys of the 
French Broad and the Tennessee heard of the 
m.essage and vowed vengeance upon the insolent 
Briton. 

Assembling of the Backwoodsmen. — In conse- 
quence of these exchanges of messages there was 
great excitement among the mountain people 
Word was sent from settlement to settlement urg- 
ing every man to assemble at Sycamore Shoals on 
Sept. 25th, and to bring whatever weapons that 
could be gotten together. About fourteen hundred 
came with hunting rifles, sabres, and pistols. Colo- 
nel Campbell, a Virginia patriot, was chosen by a 
council of officers commander-in-chief, and Colo- 
nels Isaac Shelby, John Sevier, Joseph McDowell 
and Benjamin Cleveland advisory commanders. 

March Over the Mountains. — After a few days 
of drilling and instruction, the hastily gathered 
army was ready for the difficult journey over the 
mountains. Parson Doak, a well-beloved minister 
of the community, pronounced his blessing upon 
the campaign, and exhorted the backwoodsmen tc 
go and smite the enemy with the sword of the 
Lord and of Cadeon. Fearing that Ferguson would 
change his mind and not stand his ground, these 
rough and ready mountaineers galloped by day 
and night to overtake him before he could escape 
if he should decide to attempt flight. On through 



206 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

the defiles of the mountains they hurried, anxious 
to meet the haughty Briton who had threatened 
to burn their homes. As they proceeded other 
patriots joined them until there were eighteen 
hundred bold and determined men hurrying like a 
tornado to crush Ferguson and bis minions. Fer- 
guson soon heard that he had raised a storm in 
the land of the sky, and began to flee before it. 
He broke up his camp at Gilberttown and retreated 
toward Charlotte, and at the same time sent an 
urgent appeal to Cornwallis for reinforcements. 

Nine Hundred Chosen Men. — When the back 
woodsmen reached Quaker Meadows, in Burke 
County, they learned that Ferguson had broken 
camp and was hurrying to Charlotte. To prevent 
his escape Colonel Campbell selected nine hundred 
and ten of the fleetest horsemen and went on in 
rapid pursuit, while th€ remainder of the army 
followed as best they could. These chosen war- 
riors, mounted on fiery steeds, pushed on and over- 
took Ferguson at Kings Mountain, Oct. 7, 1780. 
Ferguson had halted on top of the mountain and 
had strongly fortified his position. He boasted 
that "all the rebels in hell" and God himself could 
not drive him from that stronghold. 

The Battle on the Mountain. — As soon as they 
came in sight of the British, the patriots halted and 
made arrangements for immediate battle. They 
tied their horses in the woods, formed in four 
columns, and advanced to the attack. Colonels 
Campbell and Shelby led the attack on one side 
of the mountain, while Colonels Cleveland, Sevier 



Independence and Nationality. 207 

and Williams closed in on the other sides. Fergu- 
son and his men fought like demons to break this 
circle of death which was fast closing around them 
At the head of his men, Ferguson blowing his keen 
whistle charged first one column and then another 
but was each time beaten back by the unerring and 
deadly fire of the patriots, whose steady aim 
brought many horses and riders to the ground 
At last Ferguson himself leading the last charge 
was pierced by seven bullets and fell dead at the 
head of the column. Seeing the fall of their leader 
Depeyster, second in command, raised the white 
flag and surrendered the survivors as prisoners of 
war. l^he losses of the British were heavy in com- 
parison with the number engaged. Of the British 
and Tories 119 were slain, 123 wounded, and the 
remainder, 664, were captured. The patriot loss 
was 28 killed and 62 wounded. 

Return of the Backwoodsmen. — Immediately 
after the battle, the officers of the mountaineers 
held a council of war and decided that nine of the 
captured Tories were criminals and deserved death 
They were promptly hanged. Then the back- 
woodsmen gave o\er their prisoners to the State 
authorities and returned to their mountain homes 
lliey had been away about a month and had 
gained one of the most brilliant victories of the 
Revolution. 

Retreat of Cornwallis. — Cornwallis heard with 
an-iazement of the death of I'\^rguson and the de- 
struction of his command. lie at once concluded 
that North Carolina was too much of a hornets' 



208 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

nest for him. He therefore, left Charlotte and 
retreated to Winnsboro, South Carolina, thus post- 
poning his threatened conquest of the State to an- 
other year. The patriots throughout the State 
were elated over the results of the different 
campaigns of the year, for they had beaten the 
British and Tories at nearly every important point 
and had saved North Carolina from the fate which 
had befallen Georgia and South Carolina. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Rutherford County? The French 

Broad River? The Tennessee? 

2. Point out Sycamore Shoals ; Quaker Meadows ; 

Kings Mountain. 

3. Why was Ferguson sent to Western North 

Carolina? Where did he go? 

4. What proclamation did he issue there? 

5. What did the patriots begin to do? 

6. What message was sent to Colonel Shelby? 

How did Shelby regard the message? 

7. When and where did the backwoodsmen as- 

semble? How many? 

8. Who were chosen leaders? 

9. What did they fear Ferguson would do? 

10. How many joined them on the way? 

11. What did Ferguson do when he heard of their 

approach? 

12. Where was he overtaken? What was his 

boast? 

13. What was the plan of the patriots' attack? 



Independence and Nationality, 209 

14. Relate the story of the battle. 

15. What were the losses? 

16. What did the backwoodsmen do after the 

battle? 

17. How long had they been in arms? 

18. W^hat did Cornwallis do when he heard of 

Ferguson's defeat? 

19. How did the patriots feel over the results of 

the campaigns? 

20. From what had North Carolina been saved? 



210 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XXXni. 

THIRD ATTEMPT TO CONQUER NORTH 

CAROLINA. 

General Greene Takes Command. — After the 
signal defeat of Gates at Camden, August 16, 
1780, all eyes turned to General Nathanael Greene 
of Rhode Island, as the right man to measure arms 
with Cornwallis in the South. Accordingly, when 
General Gates tendered his resignation in Septem- 
ber, General Washington offered the command of 
the armv in the South to General Greene, who im- 
mediately accepted, and arrived at Charlotte in 
November to assume direction of the army sta- 
tioned at or near that place. About five thousand 
men were in arms in the State, but they were badly 
scattered and poorly equipped. Generals Sumner 
and Davidson, with the bulk of the army, were 
stationed at Charlotte. General Gregory was in 
eastern North Carolina with a brigade of minute 
men. Besides these, there were small commands 
at Hillsboro, Salisbury, and Fayetteville. 

Organization and Discipline. — General Greene 
had a difficult task before him, but he did not 
shrink from it. He organized the scattered troops 
drilled the untrained soldiers, and in a compara- 
tively brief time had a well-disciplined army anx- 
ious to meet the foe in battle. Colonel Davie was 



Independence and Nationality. 211 

appointed commissary-general, and he entered upon 
his duties with skill and energy, and during the 
long campaign that followed supplied the army 
with all necessary articles, both of food and 
clothing. 

Greene Divides His Forces. — In the face of great 
difficulties and dangers, Greene adopted a vigorous 
policy. He began his campaign against Cornwallis 
early in January, 1781. Separating his army into 
two divisions, he sent one into South Carolina to 
check Tarleton, who was operating in the north- 
western part of that State, but held one at Char- 
lotte to watch the movements of Cornwallis. The 
division sent into South Carolina consisted of 300 
continentals, about 300 North Carolina volunteers 
under Colonel Joseph McDowell, and some South 
Carolina and Virginia militia, the whole being in 
command of General Daniel Morgan, of Virginia 
a hard fighter who had seen service at Saratoga 
and Monmouth in the North. Morgan was in- 
structed to find Tarleton and, if possible, to destroy 
his command. 

Battle of Cowpens. — Morgan proceeded to the 
western part of South Carolina and found Colonel 
Tarleton near the site of the ])resent cit\' of .Spar- 
tanburg. Both commands were anxious for battU'. 
for each expected victory over the other. January 
17, 1780, the two met at Cowpens, not far from the 
boundary line between the two states. Farleton 
had ele\'en hundred \vell-train"d I'ritish soldiers 
while Morgan had barely eight hundred untried 
men. Tarleton threw his disciplined troops a^iainst 



212 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

the North Carolinians in the first line, but was met 
with a steady fire and thrown into confusion. Colo 
nel William Washington led the continentals in a 
sabre charge and turned the confusion of the 
enemy into a rout. Tarleton was pursued twenty 
miles, and in the retreat was wounded in the hand 
by a sabre stroke from Colonel Washington, and 
came near falling into the hands of the Americans 
In this brilliant exploit the British lost 784 men 
either killed, wounded, or captured. The Ameri- 
can loss was 12 killed and 60 wounded. A large 
number ot wagons, horses, muskets, and sabres 
fell into the hands of Morgan. Tarleton fled almost 
alone to the camp of Cornwallis and announced 
the disaster. 

Race to the Catawbaj — Cornwallis was greatly 
chagrined when he heard of the utter rout of his 
favorite lieutenant. He determined to march at 
once against Morgan and pluck from him the re- 
wards of his victory. The American general was 
expecting such a move, and, gathering up his 
spoils and prisoners, he set out to rejoin General 
Greene on the Catawba River, in North Carolina. 
Cornwallis quickly discerned the intention of Mor- 
gan, and marched with his light armed troops to 
overtake him. The Americans had twenty-four 
hours the start, and by forced marches won the 
race, reaching the fords of the Catawba in time to 
cross before the British appeared in pursuit. 

Death of General Davidson. — General William 
L. Davidson with three hundred North Carolina 
militia was stationed at Cowan's Ford on the 




a 

V 

h 

o 

c 
O 



s 






T3 
0) 










o 



Independence and Nationality. 213 

Catawba River to check the British, if they should 
attempt to cross at that place, while Morgan, now 
united with Gre-^ne. continued the retreat toward 
Salisbury. On the morning of February 1st, before 
sunrise, the British began to cross the river at two 
places, Cowan^s Ford and a few miles above at 
Beatty^s Ford. Cornwallis himself was leading a1 
the former place. Davidson's command on the left 
bank of the river discovered the advance soon after 
the enemy started from the opposite side, and 
poured into their ranks a destructive fire, killing 
and wounding about forty. Cornwallis's horse was 
killed under him, and Cornwallis himself fell head- 
long into the water, but was rescued. The British 
continued to advance, however, and, reaching the 
shore, drove Davidson's little command from theii 
position. Just as General Davidson was in the act 
of mountmg his horse to follow his men in their 
retreat, he was shot down b}' a Tory, who knew 
him. and mstantl}' killed. 

Skirmish at Torrence's Tavern. — Davidson's 
small command made another stand at Torrence's 
Tavern, six miles from the ford on the way to 
Sailisbury : but being without a leader they were 
easily beaten by Tarleton who furiously attacked 
and drove them from the field. Shortly afterward 
the scattered command reasseml)led. and, choosing 
General Andrew Pickens to succeed the lamented 
Davidson, they hung on the rear of Cornwallis's 
army, cutiing olY stragglers and foragers on the 
memorable retreat and pursuit from the Catawba 
to the Dan. 



2i4 A Child's History of North CaroHn^. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Spantanburg? Cowpens? Guilford 

Courthouse? 

2. Point out the Catawba River ; Cowan^s Ford ; 

Beatfie's F'ord. 

3. Who was put in command of the Southern 

army? His first efforts? 

4. What forces were in arms in the State? 

5. Where did Greene send a division of his 

army ? 

6. Where did Morgan meet Tarleton? Give art 

account of the battle. 

7. Tell the story of the race to the Catawba. 

8. Tell what happened at Cowan's Ford. 

9. How was Davidson killed? 

10. What happened at Torrence's Tavern? 
IL Who succeeded Davidson? What did the 
command do? 



Independence and Nationality. 215 



CHAPTER XXXI Y. 
GREENE'S RETREAT TO THE DAN. 

Greene Retreats to Salisbury.— X'^ow began one 
of the most famous retreats in history. Greene 
with but a small eommand, hurried from Cowan's 
Ford to SaHsbury, intending to go to Guilford 
Courthouse, where he expected to be joined bv 
the main army under General Huger. He knew 
he was not able yet to give battle to Cornwallis 
for his army was too small and the men too 
wearied by the long march from South Carolina. 

Generosity of Mrs. Steele. — As the American 
army was passing Salisbury on February 1, 1781 
General (irecne rode up to the door of Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Steele, a patriotic lady of the place, and asked 
to be allowed to rest there for a few hours. Being- 
admitted, Greene introduced himself as an Ameri- 
can general "fatigued, hungry, alone, and penni- 
less." Dr. Reid, a brother of Mrs. Steele, in charge 
of the sick and wounded soldiers at Salisbury at 
the time, was present and recognized General 
(jreene, bidding him welcome to the house and 
what it contained. Soon a bountiful supper was 
prepared for the tired and hungry general, and 
while he was eating, Mrs. Steele came into the 
room with two bags of gold and silver, which she 
placed on the table. 



216 A Child's History of North Caroling. 

"General Greene/' said she, ''I overheard youf 
remark about being penniless, and I wish to give 
you some of my earnings. Take these bags of 
specie, for you will need them and I can get along 
without them." 

This generous contribution came at a time when 
it was most needed, and Greene accepted it grate- 
fully. 

Greene and the Picture. — Hanging on the waif 
in Mrs. Steele's dining room was a picture of King 
George HI. Filled with sorrow at the sufferings: 
of his countrymen, caused by the tyranny of the* 
same king, General Greene took the picture from" 
the wall and wrote upon the back, 

"O George ! hide thy face and mourn. ^' 

He then replaced the picture with its face to the* 
wall, and soon thereafter left the house and re- 
joined his troops. 

Passage of the Yadkin. — Pushing on with the 
utmost expedition, Greene reached the fords of the 
Yadkin River, and crossed in safety as the pur- 
suing enemy came in sight. Here a kind Provi- 
dence befriended the American army. Cornwallis 
came up and halted for the night, but while he 
rested the rains fell in torrents and rendered the 
river unfordable. As a consequence the next day 
the British army was compelled to march thirty 
miles up the river and cross at Shallow Ford. 
Meanwhile Greene was hastening on toward Guil- 
ford Courthouse. 

Death of the Bugler Boy — Cornwallis was anx- 
ious to overtake Greene and force him to battle 



Independence and Nationality. 2l7 

He, therefore, sent forward Tarleton and hi«i 
dragoons to hang on the rear of the American 
army, and, if possible, to bring on an engagement. 
Greene ordered his calvary division, under Colonel 
"Light Horse Harry" Lee, of Virginia, to v^atch 
Tarleton and check any attack he might make. 
The two division were in frequent collision. One 
morning while the patriots were eating breakfast 
the report came that Tarleton^s dragoons were 
bearing down upon them. Lee with a small force 
galloped back to meet the enemy, but as the Brit- 
ish delayed their coming he sent some of his men 
back to camp while he and the others concealed 
themselves by the roadside. Soon a squad of 
troopers rapidly passed and charged upon the fe\V 
that were returning to camp, among whom was a 
bugler boy named Gillies, about fifteen years of 
age, mounted upon a lame horse. Gillies was cut 
down by a sabre stroke and mortally wounded 
The others escaped. Lee followed the troopers as 
they passed and reached the scene in time to see 
a ]^)ritish soldier- strike the bugler boy from his 
horse. Lee was enraged to see a defenseless boy 
thus slain. He, therefore, ordered his men to 
charge the enemy and spare not a man. Every one 
of the enemy was either killed, wounded or taken 
prisoner. 

How a Culprit Escaped. — Colonel Lee hastened 
to the v.ounded bugler boy and found him stilt 
alive. The boy pointed out to Lee the man who 
had struck him down. Lee i'^imediately ordered 
the British culprit hangec!, but just as the execu- 



2iS A Child's History of North Carolina. 

tioners were about to swing him to a limp, the* 
whole of Farleton's command came in sight, and 
Lee was forced to retreat as rapidly as possible. 
The prisoners were taken along, and in a few days 
sent on to Virginia. In that way the murderer of 
the boy bugler escaped the fate he richly deserved. 
Poor Gillies died on the retreat and was buried by 
the roadside. A monument has been erected tc 
his memory at the Guilford battle ground. 

Race to the Dan. — ^Corrtwallis hoped to cut 
Greene oft at the Dan River. For that purpose he 
sent some of his fleetest horsemen by way of the 
Moravian settlement in Forsyth County while the 
main army pressed hard upon Greene's rear guard 
It was now a race for the sheltering waters of the 
Dan. Greene's army had rested three days at 
Guilford Courthouse and was in the best of spirits. 
Hugef had joined him, and the united forces were 
now on their mettle. Cornwallis felt sure of his 
quarry, but was again disappointed. Greene 
reached the Dan and passed over with his entire 
army before Cornwallis arrived. All the boats 
were taken to the north side of the river, so that 
when the British came up they found no means of 
crossing. Cornwallis now gave up the race and 
retired to Hillsboro. whence he issued a proclama- 
tion claiming North Carolina as conquered and 
inviting all loyal subjects of the king to assist him 
in establishing Royal rule. 



Independence and Nationality. 2l^ 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is the Yadkin River? Dan River? 

Forsyth County? 
.2. Where did Greene go from Cowan^s Ford? 
Where was the main army? 

3. Relate the story of Mrs. Steele's generosity; 

Greene and the picture. 

4. What happened at the Yadkin River? What 

did Cornwallis do? 

5. What was Tarleton ordered to do? Whd 

protected Greene's rear? 

6. Relate the story of the bugler boy. 

7. How did the murderer escape hanging? 

8. Where did Cornwallis hope to overtake 

Greene? How was he disappointed? 

9. Where did Cornwallis go? 

10. What proclamation did he issue? 



220 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 
PYLE'S HACKING MATCH. 

Rise of the Tories. — Cornwallis's proclamation 
at Hillsboro was the signal for the rise of the 
Tories in all parts of the State. Hundreds of theni 
Came flocking to the British army, and hundreds 
of others organized and sent word to Cornwallis 
that they were ready to join him at a moment's 
notice. Many supposed that Greene had fled the 
State and that the patriot cause was lost. The 
Whigs, however, were far from being conquered 
and were only waiting for a good opportunity to 
Strike a telling blow. 

General Pickens and the Militia. — After the de- 
feat of Davidson's command at Torrence's Tavern 
the disorganized remnant met and elected General 
Andrew Pickens of South Carolina to succeed the 
lamented Davidson, as has already been related 
Pickens was with them at the time as a refugee 
^nd at once assumed command, following Corn- 
wallis across the State in his pursuit of Greene 
and hanging hard upon his rear. 

Graham's Exploit at Hart's Mill — When Corn- 
Wallis turned to tlillsboro from the pursuit of 
Greene, Pickens followed him and encamped not 
far from that town, watching for an opportunity 
to do something to encourage the patriots and to 



Independence and Nationality. 221 

pre\'ent th<^ rising of the Tories. Hearing that 
Cornwallis had established a picket post at Hart's 
Mill, near Hillsboro, General Pickens sent Major 
Joseph Graham, with a small force, to destroy it 
At daybreak, February 18. 1781, Graham charged 
the post and captured it with twenty-five prison- 
ers. This daring feat was accomplished within 
one and a half miles of Cornwallis's headquarters 
at Hillsboro. Graham retreated to Stony Creek 
with his prison-ers, where he rejoined General 
Pickens. 

Lee Joins Pickens. — While the patriots were 
encamped at Stony Creek the alarm was given 
one morning, that the enemy was approaching 
Pickens ordered his men under arms, expecting 
Tarleton's dragoons to burst upon them, but he 
was overjoyed to find it was "Light Horse Harry" 
Lee with his Virginia troopers, who had been sent 
into North Carolina ahead of Greene to watch the 
movements of the Tories. 

Colonel John Pyle. — One of the most active par- 
tisans of the king in North Carolina at this time 
was Colonel John Pyle. who was organizing the 
Tories in Orange and Chatham counties. He had 
embodied about four hundred men and was hold- 
ing them in camp waiting for orders from Corn- 
wallis. 

Lee and Pickens in Search of Tarleton. — Tn a 
few days after the junction of the forces under 
Lee and Pickens, it was learned that Cornwallis 
had sent Colonel Tarleton to Guilford County to 
rouse the Tories in that section. Lee and Pickens 



222 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

decided to follow Tarleton, and, if possible, destroy 
his command. With that object in view they set 
out in search of the British leader, hoping to over- 
take him before he could form a junction with any 
Tory force that might be near. 

Defeat of Colonel Pyie. — Knowing there were 
Tories in the neighborhood. Lee and Pickens 
thought it would be best to pass as British soldiers 
coming from Hillsboro to reinforce Tarleton 
Orders were, therefore, given to the men to act as 
tar as possible the part of British troops. Under 
those instructions the little patriot army proceeded 
disguised as best they could, expecting to overtake 
and attack Tarleton before he could accomplish his 
mission. As the command continued its march a 
courier approached and addressed Lee as Tarleton 
saying that Colonel Pyle was a short distance 
ahead and wished to unite his command of Tories 
with his. Lee saw the mistake and resolved to 
profit by <t. He, therefore, told the courier to tell 
Colonel Pyle to dra^v up his forces on one side of 
the road and await ordtrs Colonel Pyle did as 
requested. Lee led his dragoons along the line of 
Tories until he came to the head of the line where 
Pyle was. There he stopped and Pyle gave the 
military salute, saying that he had four hundred 
brave and loyal North Carolinians who desired to 
united with his majesty's forces for the purpose of 
restoring Royal rule in the State. 

'*Colone" Pyle," said Lee, "you are mistaken in 
the man. T am not Colonel Tarleton — I am Colo- 
nel Lee." At that Pvle drew his sword and 



Independence and Nationality. 223 

sounded a retreat. Lee was too quick for him and 
ordered a charge. In less than fifteen minutes 9C 
of the Tories lay dead on the field and the others 
either wounded or fleeing in every direction. Pyle 
himself was desperately wounded, but crawled into 
a pond of water, whence he was afterward rescued 
by his Tory friends. The patriots lost not a man 
but several were wounded. This battle, almost a 
massacre, called "Pyle's Hacking Match," occurred 
near the present town of Burlington. 

Escape of Tarleton.— After this crushing defeat 
of the Tories, which occurred on February 25 
1781, Lee and Pickens hastened on to attack Tarle- 
ton. About sunset they came within one mile of 
his camp and halted It was thought best to wait 
until morning before making the attack, as the 
soldiers were wearied with the marching and fight- 
ing of the day. So the patriots slept upon their 
arms, expecting severe fighting next day. Durin.- 
the night however, Tarleton, being informed of 
what had happened, broke camp and hurried with 
all speed back to Hillsboro. Next morning the 
Americans began pursuit, but could not ovc^rtake 
him. P>y forced marches Tarleton reached the 
n^ain armv, glad enough to escape the patriot 
forces that were at his heels. 



224 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Burlington? Guilford County? 

2. What caused the Tories to rise? Who was 

Colonel Pickens? 

3. Relate the attack on Hart's Mill. Who joined 

Pickens at Stony Creek? 

4. Who was Colonel Pyle? For whom were Lee 

and Pickens looking? 

5. Relate particulars of Pyle's defeat. How 

many Tories were killed? 

6. How did Colonel Pyle escape? How did 

Tarleton escape? 



Independence and Nationality. 225 



CHAPTER XXXVL 
BATTLE OF GUILFORD COURTHOUSE. 

Greene Recrosses the Dan. — Having rested his 
army for a week on the north bank of the Dan 
River, Gteneral Greene quietly recrossed that 
stream on February 23rd and retraced his steps to 
Guilford Courthouse. While in Virginia he had 
received considerable reinforcem-ents, and now with 
an army of over five thousand men he felt strong 
enough to risk a battle wnth Cornwallis. With 
that in view he sent his cavalry under General 
Otho H. Williams toward Hillsboro, hoping there- 
by to draw the British general from his fortified 
camp. At the same time he sent messengers into 
the neighboring counties to tell the minute men to 
join him at Guilford Courthouse early in March 
With the main army Greene encamped at the 
Speedwell Iron Works on Troublesome Creek. 

Affair at WhitselFs Mill. — x'Xs soon as he heard 
of the disaster to Colonel Pyle, Cornwallis broke 
camp at Hillsboro and marched to Alamance 
Creek. Here he was informed that (ireene had 
re-entered the State and was ad\ancing to give 
him battle. Cornwallis was eager for the chance 
to meet Greene, and at once set out for Guilford 
Courthouse. General Williams, in command of the 
patriot cavalry, took position at Whitsell's MiP.. 



226 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

directly in the path of Cornwallis. Captain John 
Armstrong with a company of sharpshooters was 
stationed near the mill with the creek between him- 
self and the on-coming enemy. Colonel Webster 
led the British attacking party, and, mounted on 
his war-horse, plunged into the creek, leading his 
men in a gallant charge. Armstrong ordered his 
men to aim at the intrepid horseman, and thirty- 
two volleys were fired at him. but he escaped 
unhurt. Seeing that he could not hold the mill 
Armstrong retreated and with Williams rejoined 
Greene, who had now advanced to Guilford Court- 
house. For several days there were movements 
and counter movements by the two armies, each 
commander trying to catch the other off his guard 
Greene Prepares for Battle. — March 8th the two 
armies encamped eight miles apart, Greene at Guil- 
ford Courthouse and Cornwallis on Deep River. 
Early on the morning of March 15, 1781, Greene's 
scouts reported the whole British army advancing 
by the Salisbury road. At once Greene prepared 
for battle, drawing up his army in three lines 
The first Ime was composed of about one thousand 
North Carolina militia under Generals Eaton and 
Butler. These were ordered to fire two rounds 
upon the enemy at close range and r.^tire behind 
the second line, which was three hundred yards 
back of the first line and was composed mostly of 
Virginia militia and a few continentals, all under 
the command of General Stevens. The third line 
was four hundred yards behind the second and 
was made up of continental troops with the cav- 



Independence and Nationality. 227 

airy divisions of Colonels Lee and Washington 
protecting the flanks. 

Cavalry Engagement. — Greene ordered Colonel 
Lee to advance to the front and attack the van- 
guard of the British. Proceeding a few miles, Lee 
came suddenly upon Tarleton's dragoons, who 
were marching in front of the British column. In 
the skirmish that followed about thirty of the 
British troopers were cut down in a charge headed 
by Captain Armstrong with practically no loss to 
the Americans. Lee then retreated in good order 
to the main body. 

Beginning of the Battle. — As the British came 
up they were met by a steady and effective fire 
from the Xorth Carolinians in the first line. Many 
of the militia in that line had never seen the face 
of an enemy before, and, being terrified at the 
sight of the advancing enemy, broke and fled 
almost without firing a shot. Most of the line 
however, behaved gallantly, and. after delivering 
their fire as commanded fell back in good order 
behind the second line, where the advance of the 
British was bravely sustained for a brief time by 
the Virginians, when they, too, fell back to th'j 
third line. 

Charge of Colonel Washington. — Flushed with 
victory, the lJ^ili.-^h infantry charged the third 
line, but were gallantly met by the Maryland and 
Xorth Carolina regulars, and their advance checked 
Colonel Webster, who had escaped thirty-two 
shots at Whitsell's Mill, fell mortally wounded 
and man\' other officers and men went down h.-- 



228 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

fore that murderous fire. But the British con- 
tinued to advance, and finally the American Une 
began to waver and the battle seemed lost. Just 
then Greene ordered Colonel Washington to lead 
his dragoons against the on-rushing enemy. At 
the head of his troops Washington charged into 
the ranks of the enemy and threw them into con- 
fusion. Cornwallis. seeing this desperate and suc- 
cessful charge, knew that it meant defeat for him 
unless some relief should quickly come. Accord- 
ingly, he ordered his artillery to open upon the 
struggling mass of British and Americans, and 
friend and foe were shot down together. Greene 
fearing the loss of his cavalry and learning that 
the British were outflanking him, sounded a re- 
treat, and withdrew his army in good order from 
the field. 

Greene Retreats in Goor Order.— Halting about 
three miles from the battlefield, Greene drew up 
his men in battle array to repel any attack that 
might be made ; but Cornwallis was too crippled 
to follow. Greene retired leisurely to Troublesome 
Creek, and there fortified himself and awaited the 
coming of the British. Cornwallis, however, was 
in no condition to advance further. In this hotly 
contested battle the Americans numbered about 
five thousand, mostly untried militia, and the Brit- 
ish twenty-five hundred regulars. The losses were 
about five hundred on each side. Cornwallis 
claimed the victory, but it was valueless to him. 

Cornwallis on the Run. — Three days after the 
battle. Greene broke camp on Troublesome Creek 



Independence and Nationality. 229 

and advanced to attack Cornwallis, since the latter 
had failed to attack him. That discreet general 
however, did not wait for the attack, but retreated 
toward Wilmington. As soon as Greene discov- 
ered that Lornwallis was retreating he dispatched 
Colonels Lee and Washington in pursuit with in- 
structions to cut him off, if possible, and bring 
him to bay. These brave patriots pursued the 
British to Deep River and inflicted considerable 
damage upon them. At Deep River Lee and 
Washington halted and awaited the arrival of the 
main army under (ireene. At a council of war 
held at Deep River it was decided to allow the 
British to retreat unmolested, while Greene should 
prosecute the war in South Carolina. Cornwallis 
retreated to Wilmington, which he reached in 
April, and there rested his men from a most ardu- 
ous campaign, in which he was unsuccessful in 
tiearly every undertaking. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Alamance Creek? Deep River? 

Troublesome Creek? 

2. What was Greene's intention when he re- 

cross the Dan? 

3. Wnat word did he send out ? Wlio responded? 

4. Where did Cornwallis encamp? What hap 

pened at Whitsell's Mill? 

5. Cine Cireene's battle formation at Guilford 

Courthouse. 

6. Tell about thj explo-t of Captain Armstrong 



230 A Child's History of North Carolina.- 

7. Tell how the three lines behaved. 

8. How did Corriwalhs check the charge of 

Washington? 

9. Why did Greene retreat? Why didn't Corn- 

wallis pursue? 

10. Give numbers and losses in the battle? 

11. Tell what happened three days after the 

battle? 

12. Who were sent in pursuit? Where did Corri^ 

waliis go? Greene? 



Independence and Nationality. 231 



CHAPTER XXXVIL 
CORNWALLIS RETIRES TO VIRGINIA. 

The British Capture Wilmington. — January 29 
1781, Major James H. Craig, with a British force 
of 450 men, escorted by 18 warships, came into the 
Cape Fear River and demanded the surrender of 
Wilmington. As there was no patriot garrison 
to oppose him, the town fell into his hands with- 
out resistance. He established his headquarters 
there, ana sent out marauding parties into the 
country around to capture the leading patriots of 
that portion of the State and to incite the Tories 
to arms. 

Cornelius Harnett and John Ashe Captured. — 
Among the patriots captured by Craig's marauders 
were Cornelius Harnett and General John Ashe 
who were living at that time on their farms near 
Wilmington. Both were betrayed into the hands 
of Craig and thrown into loathcsome dungeons 
Harnett had attempted flight, but was run down 
by the minions of Craig m Onslow County, bound 
hand and foot, thrown pcross a horse like a bag 
of meal, and brought to Wilmington. Tn prison 
Harnett contracted a fatal disease and died in 
April, 1781. Ashe was taken with smallpox, from 
which he died after a lingering confinement. Thu^ 
were two eminent patriots, who had sacrificed sc 



232 A Child's History of North Carolina'.. 

much for their country, cut down just as the star 
of independence began fo rise. 

Cornvv^aliis Retreats From the State. — After a 
long march from Guilford Courthouse, Cornwallis 
reached Wilmington about the first of April, and 
gave his men the rest which they so much needed 
He did not, however, tarry long in Wilmmgton 
for he received orders to proceed to Virginia and 
there to begin operatioj s which, it was hoped 
would draw General Washington from his siege of 
New York. Accordinglv leaving Major Craig to 
direct the war in North Carolina, Cornwallis, about 
the last of April, marched north along the route- 
now traversed by the Wilmington and Weldon 
Railroad. At that time General Alexander Lilling- 
ton was stationed with about 500 men at Heron's 
Bridge. As Cornwallis niarched out of Wilming- 
ton, Lillington put his men in motion with the 
idea of hindering the advance as much as possible'. 
Instead of offering battle, however, he- retired from" 
before the British and allowed them" to proceed 
Closing in, he hung upon the^ rear, cutting oft" 
foraging parties and annoving Cornwallis no little 
on the march northward. May 4th the British 
army arrived at Halifax where Govetn'or Abnef 
Nash and General Allen Tones had collected a con- 
siderable body of militia trom Pitt, Halifax, Edge- 
Combe, and Northampton counties. Upon the ap- 
proach of Cornw^allis, however, the patriot forces 
retreated. The British t^^ok possession of the town 
and encamped there for several days before pro- 
ceeding to Virginia 



independence and Nationality. 23^ 

Tarleton Defeated in a War of Words. — Whiles 
^t Halifax Colonel Tarleton and General Leslie, of 
the British army, became acquainted with Mrs 
Willie Jones and Mrs. Ashe, two patriotic ladies 
of the towil. In the course oi a conversation at 
the home of Mrs. Jones, Colonel Tarleton spoke 
slightingly of several of the American officers, and 
was specially severe in h'"' cuts at Colonel William 
Washington. 

'T should be glad to see Colonel Washington,'^ 
said l^arleton, *'in his ragged regimentals. I under 
stand he is a rude country fellow.^' 

"If you had looked behind you at the battle of 
Cowpens,'^ replied Mrs Ashe, ''you would hav(^ 
had that pleasure.^* 

That remark nettled Tarleton. for he remem 
bered well having seen a handsome young Ameri 
can officer pursuing him in that battle, and had 
been Overtaken by him and in a personal conflict 
wounded in the hand. Being unable to control h\^ 
anger at this bantering remark of Mrs. Ashe 
Tarleton swore vengeance upon Washington, de 
nouncing him as an ignorant boor, who could 
scarcely write his name. 

"He knows very well how to make his mark 
Colonel Tarleton,^' retorted Mrs. Jones. As she 
said this ^he looked at Tarleton's hand. Tarletort 
became enraged and grasped the hilt of his sword , 
but he was sternly rebuked by General Leslie and 
the incident closed. 

The Last of Cornwallis — After a brief delay at 
Halifax, Cornwallis cro- cd the Roanoke Ri\er 



234 A Child's History of North Caroling, 

knd hastened on into Virginia. He had been iri 
North Carolina about four months, and had met 
at every point, a most determined spirit of resist-^ 
ance. He found out that North Carolina could not 
easily be conquered and he was glad enough tc 
get away from such a ''hornets' nest." In Vir^ 
ginia he carried on an active warfare for some 
months, but was finally defeated and captured with 
his entire army at Yorhtown, October 19, 1781 
His reverses in North Carolina paved the way for 
his destruction in Virginia. Kings Mountain, Cow 
pens, and Guilford Courthouse were steps to his 
final overthrow at Yorktown. 

Thomas Burke Elected Governor. — In June, 1781 
Thomas Burke was elected governor to succeed 
Abner Nash, who had served one term and de- 
clined re-election. Burk^ was a man of consider- 
able ability, and had served in the continental 
congress and on the battlefield. He was, therefore 
well equipped to serve his State at this critical 
time. 



QUESTIONS. 

i. How was Wilmington captured? Tell the 
story of the capture of Harnett and Ashe. 
What became of them? 

2. What orders did Corrlwallis receive at Wil- 

mington? 

3. What did General Lillington do to oppo^^e 

Cornwallis? 



Independence and Nationality. 23^ 

4. Tell how Halifax was occupied by the British^ 

5. Tell how Tarleton was defeated at Halifax? 

6. Where did Cornwallis go from Halifax? 
^. What did he do in Virginia? 

8. Who was elected governor in June? 



S36 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER xxxvni. 

PARTISAN CONFLICTS. 

Strife in Anson County. — Through the influence 
of Major Craig at Wilmington the Tories in the 
Southeastern portion of the State rose in arms 
kbout the first of March, 1781, and waged a bitter 
warfare upon the Whig inhabitants of that section. 
Anson County was the scene of many minor con- 
flicts in which the Tories had the advantage. The 
patriots were driven out and fled in alarm to the 
settlements on the Neuse River, where the WhigS 
were in the majority. 

Battle of Piney Bottom.^ — In May, the same 
year, after Cornwallis had retreated from the State 
Colonel Thomas Wade, leader of the Anson County 
exiles on the Neuse, thought that he might take 
his people home with safety. Accordingly he gath- 
ered them together, and led them through Cum- 
berland County ; but at Piney Bottom he was at- 
tacked by a superior force of Tories and defeated, 
the greater part of his little band being dispersed. 

David Fanning. — About the first of June, 1781, 
David Fanning, a notorious Tory bandit of 
Chatham Countv, upon the invitation of Major 
Craig, went to Wihnington, and while there was 
appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of all the Tory forces 
in the middle counties of the State. He was given 



Independence and Nationality. 237 

a British conimision and sent back to Chatham 
County to embody the Tories and bring war upon 
his neighbors. For several months he was a terror 
to the Whig inhabitants of Chatham and Orange 
counties. On July 16th, while a court-martial was 
in session at Chatham Courthouse, he suddenly 
burst into the court room, and, at the head of 
forty daring men, demanded the surrender of the 
entire court. Before resistance could be made, the 
judge, lawyers, and jury were all made prisoners, 
and hurried off to Wilmington, and thrown into 
prison. 

Attack on Alston's House. — There was one man 
in Chatham County whom Fanning feared and 
hated. This man was Colonel Philip Alston, who. 
at the head of the Whig forces of the county, had 
beaten the Tory leader in several conflicts. Fan- 
ning wanted to get hold of Alston and watched for 
an opportunity to do so. Near the first of August, 
1781, that opportunity came, for he heard that 
Alston, with a sniall band of followers, was resting 
a few days at his home. Fanning resolved at once 
to attack him, and, taking twenty-four of his most 
resolute men, set out for Alston's house, where 
when it was learned that Fanning was coming 
there was no little excitement. Mrs. Alston hur- 
riedly put the children up the brick chimney and 
jumped into the bed herself, covering up head and 
cars. Colonel Alston and his men shot from the 
windows and doors, while Fanning and his troop- 
ers hid behind fences and trees, and fired at the 
men in the house. The fight was kept up until 



238 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

late in the day, and it seemed that Alston would- 
be successful in beating off his assailants, for sev- 
eral of the party had been slain but no one in the 
house had been hurt. Fanning tried several times 
to take the house by assault, but was each time 
beaten oft' by the shower of bullets that were rain- 
ing around them. Finally, in the afternoon Fan- 
ning thought of a cunning device. Taking an ox- 
cart that was standing in the barn-yard, he filled it 
with hay, and, pushing it ahead of his men, ad- 
vanced to the house for the purpose of setting fire 
to it. In that way, it was seen, they could reach 
the house, for the men behind the cart would be 
protected from the bullets. Alston saw that it was 
useless to contend any longer, so Mrs. Alston went 
out to make terms with the enemy. She, by 
threatening to contintie the fight to the last ex- 
tremity, succeeded in getting Fanning to spare the 
lives of all. The brave little band of defenders 
marched out of the house with the honors of war. 
Fanning was thus defeated in his desire to take 
vengeance upon Colonel Alston. 

Battle of McFalls Mill.— On September 1, 1781, 
Colonel Thomas Wade, with a force of six hundred 
men, was stationed at McFalls Mill, in Randolph 
County. Here he was attacked by a force of three 
hundred Tories under Fanning and Hector McNeil 
and, after a short conflict, was driven by a flank 
movement in headlong rout from the field. The 
Whig forces were pursued for miles by the vic- 
torious Tories and many were either killed or cap- 
tured. 



Independence and Nationality. 239 

Capture of Hillsboro. — The Tories, flushed with 
victory, marched upon Hillsboro, then the capital 
of North Carolina. On account of some dissen- 
sions in the patriot ranks, at that time, there was 
no force to defend the town. So Fanning and his 
men rode in and took possession of the place. 
Governor Burke, after a gallant defense at his 
house, with the other State officers fell into the 
hands of the enemy, who plundered the town, and. 
with their prisoners and booty, set out for Wil- 
mington. This daring raid occurred on September 
13th, and was the most notable achievement of the 
Tory forces in the State. 

Battle of Cane Creek.' — As Fanning and McNeil, 
next day, were leading their victorious troops, with 
their prisoners, toward Wilmington, they found 
their way blocked at Lindley's Mill, on Cane 
Creek, in Chatham County, by a force of three 
hundred patriots under General John Butler, llie 
Tories made an attack with their usual vigor, but 
were drixen back by the murderous fire of the 
Whigs. Again and again the Tories charged, but 
each time were beaten back. Fanning, seeing that 
it was impossible to dislodge Butler by a direct 
attack, crossed the Creek lower down and assaulted 
bis lino in the rear. This movement was hero- 
i(\'i]]\' met b\- Major l\o1)ert Mebane and repelled. 
P>v this t'uvc, however, the ammunition of the 
]>atri()ts p"a\e ont and thev were obliged to re- 
treat. 'Idiis they did in good order unpursued by 
the Tories, who continued on their way to Wilm- 
ington. 1 he losses in this engagement were 



240 A Child^s History of North Carolina^ 

about sixty-five Tories killed and wounded and 
about thirty-five Whigs. 

Alexander Martin Governor. — Immediately upon 
the capture of Governor Burke, Alexander Martin, 
of Guilford County, by virtue of his office as 
speaker, became governor, and served until Burke 
made his escape the following year. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Anson County? The Neuse River? 

2. Where is Chatham County? Randolph 

County? 

3. Why did many Whigs leave Anson County? 

4. Tell what happened on their way back home. 

5. Who was David Fanning? Tell something of 

his exploits. 

6. Whom did Fanning fear and hate? 

7. Give particulars of the attack on Alston's 

house. 

8. Give an account of the battle of McFalls 

Mill. 

9. Tell the story of the capture of Hillsboro. 

10. Give particulars of the battle of Cane Creek 

and the losses. 

11. Who succeeded Governor Burke? Why? 



Independence and Nationality. 241 



CHAPTER XXXIX, 
BATTLE OF ELIZABETHTOWN. 

British Outpost in Bladen. — F.arly in the sum- 
mer of 1781, the British established a military 
outpost at Elizabethtown in Bladen County. Colo- 
nel John Slingsby, a British resident of Wilming- 
ton, was put in command of it. The object of the 
post was to encourage the Tories and organize 
them against the potriots. Slingsby took charge 
and garrisoned the town with Tories and extend- 
ed urgent invitations to all friends of the king to 
join him. He soon found himself at the head of 
a considerable body of men. I'hcse were equipped 
and sent out in detachments to wage war upon 
the Whig residents of the county. The majority 
of the people of Bladen were Scotch Highlanders, 
and, therefore, Tories. The few Whigs there were 
beaten in several engagements of an unimportant 
nature and forced to flee from the county. They 
took refuge in Duplin and Sampson Counties, and 
waited for a good opportunity to return to their 
homes. 

The Resolution of the Exiles — Toward the last 
of September, 1781, about sixty of the exiled pat- 
riots met in Duplin Countv and resolx ed that thev 
would return to Bladen and dri\e the 1 ories from 



242 A Child's History of North CaroHna. 

power. Colonel Thomas Brown, one of their 
number, was chosen leader, and he set to work 
to get the little band in marching and fighting 
condition. They decided to attack the Tories at 
Elizabethtown, and, if successful there to drive 
them from the county. After a march of fifty 
miles the little band of patriots came to the Cape 
Fear River opposite Elizabethtown at night. 
There they found that every boat had been re- 
moved from that side of the river, and there was 
no way to cross except by fording. Not to be 
daunted, however, they tied their guns, clothes 
and ammunition on their heads and plunged in. 
Reaching the other side in safety, in a solid col- 
umn ascended the high blufi:' and marched toward 
the town. 

Attack upon the Pickets. — Arriving on the out- 
skirts of the village, the patriots found their prog- 
ress stopped by the pickets that Slingsby had 
thrown out. Without halting the Whigs charged 
upon the Tory line and soon had them fleeing in 
alarm toward the town. The patriots followed in 
close pursuit and suddenly came upon the main 
garrison of three hundred men under the immed- 
iate command of Colonel Slingsby. The Whigs 
did not slacken their pace, but ran into the Tories 
an soon threw them into confusion. Colonel 
Slingsby rallied them after awhile and withstood 
the attack, holding his ground. Colonel Brown 
saw that his little army would soon be over- 
whelmed unless he could deceive the enemy as 
to his numbers. Telling his ofiicers his plan, he 



Independence and Nationality. 243 

took his position in the center of the command, 
and in a loud voice gave his orders : 

"On the right! Captain Todd's Company ad- 
vance !" There was no such officer and company 
present, but the main body of the Whigs advanced 
and fired into the Tories, Then w^heeling to the 
left awaited orders. 

Again loud and distinct rang out the command, 
"'On the left! Captain Gillespie's company, ad- 
vance!" As before there was no such company, 
but the same sixty patriots advanced and fired, 
and retired to the right. 

Once again the command was given. "On the 
right ! Captain Dickinson's company, advance !" 
The same tactics as before. This deception was 
kept up ■ for some time until it appeared to the 
astonished Tories that Brown had about one 
thousand men under his command. l^hinking 
themselves greatly outnumbered, therefore, they 
broke and fled, hotly pursued l)y the patriots. 

Tory Hole. — Many of the Tories in their flight 
took refuge in the houses of the town, but the 
greater portion, in the darkness, ran pell-mell into 
a large ravine, since called Tory Hole. Ihere 
they were fired upon by the victorious Whigs and 
a fearful slaughter ensued. llie patriots took 
possession of the town, but did not attempt to 
hold it, as the county was full of Tories and their 
own numbers were too small. So with their 
wounded and prisoners the little band of patriots 
recrossed the river, and waited for another oppor- 
tunitv to strike the Tories a blow. The battle of 



244 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Elizabethtown broke forever the power of the 
Tories in that portion of the State. Colonel 
Slingsby, Major Gadden and others of their leaders 
were killed and the British outpost in Bladen 
County broken up. Most of the Tories in that 
county fled to the British at Wilmington and left 
the Whigs in quiet possession. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. When and where was a British outpost es- 

tablished? 

2. W^ho was put in command ? What was the 

object? 

3. Where did the Whigs of the county go? 

4. What resolution did sixty of them make? 

5. Who was chosen leader? 

6. What place did they decide to attack? 

7. How did they cross the river? 

8. What did they do on the other side? 

9. How many men did the Tories have? 

10. Tell how the Whigs first made the attack? 

11. What strategy did Colonel Brown use? What 

is Tory Hole? 

12. What was the eiTect of this battle? 



Independence and Nationality. 245 



CHAPTER XL. 
CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 

Expedition Against Newbern. — About the middle 
of August, 1781, Major Craig set out from Wilm- 
ington with a force of four hundred British regu- 
lars and about as many Tories, upon a plundering 
expedition against Newbern. They met with no 
opposition, for the small force of patriots then in 
arms in the State was w^atching the movements 
of David Fanning and his bandits, the larger part 
of the militia being with General Greene in South 
Carolina. Arriving at Nev^bern, Craig and his 
raiders entered and plundered the town of what- 
ever valuables they could find, and proceeded to 
Snow Hill ravaging the country as they went. 
At the latter place they heard of the approach of 
General Anthony Wayne, who, with eleven hund- 
red American troops, was on his way to South 
Carolina to aid General Greene in his campaign 
against the British in that State. Craig, at once 
upon the receipt of this news, hastily retreated to 
Wilmington and shut hemself up behind his forti- 
fications. 

Murder of Doctor Gaston. — About the last of 
August, during the raid upon Newbern and Snow 
Hill, a party of I'ories rode into the former place 
in search of patriots with a view of carrying them 



246 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

as prisoners to Wilmington and holding them fof 
ransom. They were especially anxious to sieze 
Dr. Alexander Gaston, because he was one of the 
most active patriots in that part of the State. 
When it became known that the Tories had 
entered the town, Dr. Gaston, as other patriots- 
Were doing, tried to escape, for there were no 
troops to oppose the enemy. Knowing that the' 
Tories would soon be after him, Dr. Gaston, Mrs. 
Gaston and the children hurried to the wharf to 
escape by boat. The Tories came rapidly down 
to the river and reached it before Dr. Gaston got 
the boat off. Coming up the leader of the band 
ordered Gaston to surrender and, upon his refusal 
to do so he leveled his gun at him over the head 
of Mrs. Gaston, who was standing on the shore 
and fired, killing him almost instantly. 

Rutherford Plans to Attack Wilmington. — Gen- 
eral Griffith Rutherford, who had been taken pris- 
oner at the battle of Camden, as related in a for- 
mer chapter, after a year of close confinement at 
St. Augustine, Fla., was exchanged about the last 
of August, 1781, and returned to the State. At 
once he resumed his old position as leader of the 
militia of Mecklenburg, Rowan, Cabarrus and 
neighboring counties. Soon he was at the head 
of fourteen hundred resolute men, whose purpose 
was to drive Craig and his hated minions from 
Wilmington. With that object in view Ruther- 
ford set out from Charlotte about the first of 
October. 

Victories Over the Tories. — Tn this army of pat- 



Independence and Nationality. 247 

riots there wCre three hundred and fifty mounted 
men under the immediate command of Colonel 
Robert Smith and Major Joseph Graham, both of 
Mecklenburg County. These were sent out in 
advance of the main body, and on October 15th, 
came upon the Tories at Rockfish Creek in Cum- 
berland County. A considerable body of them 
had collected there under the younger Hector 
McNeil. Major Graham and his dragoons charged 
and dispersed the enemy, pursuing them to the 
swamps. A day or two afterward another Tory 
force was encountered at Raft Swamp in Robeson 
County and routed with a loss of sixteen killed 
and fifty wounded. These two defeats completely 
broke the spirits of the Tories and many of them 
fled for protection to the British fortifications 
around Wilmington. 

Rutherford Besieges Wilmington.— On October 
23rd General Rutherford arrived in the neighbor- 
hood of Wilmington and proceeded to lay seige to 
the place. He sent Colonel Smith with the cav- 
alry to the south side of the Cape Fear to cut 
ofl" from that direction any supplies that might 
be intendcnl for the British, while he with the 
main body crossed at W^addell's Ferry and began 
to inxest tlie town on the north. 

Graham Defeats the South Carolina Tories. — 
By the direction of General Rutherford, Major 
Graham with ninety mounted men advanced to 
the South Carolina line in order to cut off a pro- 
vision train sent the British from Lockwood's 
Folly on Shallot River. Reaching Seven Creeks 



248 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

he encamped for the night. Here he was vio- 
lently attacked about midnight by a force of South 
Carolina Tories under Major Gainey. Graham 
was taken somewhat by surprise, and his men, at 
first, were thrown into confusion. They rallied, 
however, and with sword in hand beat off their 
assailants with severe loss. Graham lost one man 
killed and three wounded in this affair. 

Capture of Wilming^ton. — Near the first of Nov- 
emberColonel Harry Lee arrived at the camp of 
Rutherford, with the news that Cornwallis had 
surrendered to General Washington at Yorktown, 
Va., on the nineteenth of October. This informa- 
tion caused great rejoicing among the patriots. 
Encouraged by that news, General Rutherford 
moved his forces forward to attack Craig in his 
fortifications. As he neared the town the entire 
British garrison took ship and sailed away leaving 
everything to the victorious Americans. Ruther- 
ford took possession on November 18th. Thus 
the last vestige of the British power in North 
Carolina was gone forever. The Mecklenburg 
Declaration and the Halifax Resolutions were at 
last made good, and North Carolina was an inde- 
pendent State, 




o 



o 
O 


u 




;^ 




>^ 






•!-> 


3 


X 


O 


w o 


»-*-< 


G 


o 


rt 




^ 


ts 


O 


o 


^ 


•l-> 




V 


_r 


:^ 


773 




ffi 


u 




o 


'TS 


^ 




CJ 


o 


-y 


O 



tD 



n 



H 



Independence and Nationality. 249 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Snow Hill? Raft Swamp? 

2. Why was there no opposition to Craig in his 

raid on Newbern? 

3. What did the raiders do at Newbern? Why 

did they retreat? 

4. Why were the Tories anxious to capture Dr. 

Gaston? 

5. Give particulars of Dr. Gaston's death. 

6. When and how did General Rutherford return 

to the State? 
y. What did he plan to do soon after his re- 
turn? 

8. Who commanded the cavalry in his army? 

9. Where did he defeat the Tories? 

10. Where was Colonel Smith sent to? 

11. Give particulars of Graham's exploit. 

12. What joyous news did Colonel Lee bring? 

13. Give particulars of the occupancy of Wilm- 

ington by Rutherford. 



250 A Child's History of North Caroling, 



CHAPTER XLI. 
THE CALM AFTER THE STORM. 

Tidings of Peace. — The surrender of Cornwalli'^ 
at Yorktown and the expulsion of Craig from 
Wilmington brought relief to the war-worn and 
exhausted people of North Carolina. The war 
was practically over, for the British made no 
further effort to continue the strife, and the in- 
dependence of the colonies was assured. In Sep- 
tember, 1783, a treaty of peace, between England 
and the United Colonies, was signed, by which the 
British king gave up all authority over the Ameri- 
can States, and recognized them as free and inde- 
pendent. The tidings of this treaty produced 
great joy throughout America. 

The Problem of the Tories. — Many difficult 
questions now troubled the patriots in settling up 
afifairs after the close of the war. Chief among 
them was the problem of how to treat the Tories. 
Hundreds of these people had fled from the State, 
but now that peace had come they wished to 
return and live among the people thev had tried to 
destroy. The great majority of the Whigs were 
opposed to this, but as the treaty of peace gave 
the Tories the right to return, they were allowed 
to do so. The murderers among them were given 
to understand that their presence Would not be 



Independence and Nationality. 251 

tolerated, and they went elsewhere. David Fan- 
ning and his bandits tried to make terms with 
the authorities, and remain in North Carolina, but 
Governor Martin refused to enter into any agree-^ 
ment with them. Instead of that he ordered Fan- 
ning to surrender to the State authorities. He 
refused, however, to obey and managed to keep 
out of the way of the officers whd vvere seeking 
him. Many of his followers, however, were cap- 
tured and hanged. Because of that. Fanning and 
his band of blood-thirsty Tories fell upon some 
peaceful inhabitants of Randolph County and 
killed a score or more before he could be checked. 
After committing many such acts of violence and 
cruel tv, he escaped to Canada where he spent the 
remainder of his life. 

Other Tories. — Those who fought for the king 
in a fair and honorable way were allowed to return 
to their homes and enjoy all the rights of free 
men. The Highlanders of the Cape Fear section 
accepted the result in good faith, and laid down 
their arms for the pursuits of peace. They were 
respected by the Whigs, and the two joined \n 
developing the young State. To show still further 
that the war had ended indeed, the Fegislature ex- 
tended, in I78v3, a general pardon to all Tories, 
with the exception of David Fanning and several 
other bandits, who were known to be guilty of 
some of the most shocking crimes. 

Rewarding the SoMiers — To express its appre- 
ciation of the distinotiisherl services of General 
Greene, in tlu' war just close^l, the State grante.1 



252 A Child*s History of North Carolina. 

him twenty-five thousand acres of land in Tennes- 
see, then a part of North Carolina. Every private 
soldier also that had served in the defense of the 
State w^as given six hundred and forty acres in 
the same section. The officers, both of the con- 
tinentals and the militia, were rewarded in a 
similar way according to rank and services. In 
consequence of this distribution of the land in 
Tennessee among the soldiers, a considerable emi- 
gration to that territory took place, which cir- 
cumstance helped to make the present State of 
Tennessee. 

Bills of Credit. — The Legislature of 1783 issued 
bills of credit to the value of hve hundred thou- 
sand dollars. This was done to pay off the in- 
debtedness of the State and to meet current ex- 
penses. 

Return of the Soldiers. — Toward the close of 
1782, after peace had been assured, the army, both 
in the north and south, was disbanded and the 
soldiers returned to their homes. North Carolina 
had at the time about ten thousand in the field, 
and these returned to assist in repairing the rav- 
ages of the war and to build up their wasted 
fortunes. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. When was peace made? 

2. How were the tidings received in America? 

3. W'^hat difficult problem now came up? 

4. How did the majority of Whigs stand on the 

question? 



Independence and Nationality. 253 

5. What Ivories were not allowed to return? 

6. What did David Fanning try to do? 

7. W^hy did he murder some people in Randolph 

County? 

8. Where did he go when he left the State? 

9. What is said of the -Highlanders? 

10. What favor did the Legislature of 1783 ex- 

tend theTories? 

11. Who were excluded from the pardon? 

12. How were the soldiers rewarded? 

13. To what did that lead? 

14. For what were bills of credit issued? 

15. When were the armies disbanded? 



254 A Child's History oF North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XLH. 
THE STATE OF FRANKLIN. 

Western Counties Ceded to General Congress. — 

In June, 1784, the Legislature, then in session at 
Newbern, ceded to the Continental Congress at 
Philadelphia twenty-nine million acres of land ly- 
ing west of the Great Smoky mountains, and in- 
cluding the present State of Tennessee. This was 
done to aid congress in paying off the war debt. 
The backwoodsmen living in the ceded district 
were greatly displeased at this action of the Leg- 
islature, and declared they would not submit to 
being traded off in such a way. They asserted 
their purpose to resist any attempt at forcing theni 
to live under the authority of the Continental 
Congress. The five western counties of Wash- 
ington, Greene, Sullivan, Davidson and Hawkins 
met in September in convention at Jonesboro and 
declared their independence of North Carolina, and 
proceeded to organize a State government of their 
own. Without completing the organization, how- 
ever, they adjourned to meet again the following 
year in Greenville to finish their work. 

Who the Backwoodsmen Were. — Those counties 
had been settled by hunters and trappers, who. 
like Daniel Boone, wanted "elbow room," and had 
gone from Virginia and eastern and central North 



Independence and Nationality. 255 

Carolina looking for better hunting grounds. 
They were a hardy and patriotic people, and had 
made up a large part of that band of heroic moun- 
taineers who defeated Ferguson at Kings Moun- 
tain. Colonel John Sevier, who was one of the 
leaders in that battle, was the best known man 
among them. 

Sevier Elected Governor.^— The next year, 1785, 
delegates from the five revolted counties met at 
Greenville, and, adopted a State constitution anri 
elected John Sevier governor. They named the 
new State "Franklin" in honor of Benjamin Frank- 
lin, a patriotic statesman of Philadelphia. 

Money in the New State. — There were no gold 
or silver coins in the new State, so the Conven- 
tion was forced to adopt something else for money 
in order that trade might be carried on. It was 
decided that the skins of certain animals should 
pass as money. One raccoon skin was valued at 
one shilling and three pence, and would pass for 
that amount anywhere in the State. One beaver 
skin was valued at six shillings, as were also one 
deer or one otter skin. This medium of exchange 
was very suitable, and directly in the line of 
business of most of the people. 

Strife in "Franklin".— When it became known 
in North Carolina that Sevier and his followers 
had established a separate government in the 
western counties, Governor Caswxdl, who was 
now serving his second term, sent a message to 
Colonel Sevi-T telling him to cease his treasonable 
conduct, or the army of North Carolina would be 



256 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

sent against him. Sevier paid no attention to this 
message. Colonel John Tipton, one of the hardy 
settlers on the Tennessee, was opposed to the new 
State, and, under orders from Governor CaswelL 
organized a company of soldiers to resist Gover- 
nor Sevier. Tipton, being armed with a Colonel's 
commission, declared his intention of breaking up 
Sevier's government. Colonel Sevier took up arms 
to overthrow the power of Tipton, and the two 
went in search of one another. Thus there was 
a condition of civil strife in the State of "Frank- 
lin." 

Attacks and Counter Attacks. — Colonel Tipton 
with his company, marched to Jonesboro one day 
where court was being held under the authority 
of the State of Franklin, and going into the court 
room, seized the court records, and turned the 
judge and jury into the street. When Colonel 
Sevier heard of the outrage he collected his troops 
and went in search of Colonel Tipton. Arriving 
at Tipton's house, Sevier burst open the doors 
took the captured records, and carried them off in 
triumph. Tipton was absent, and so escaped pos- 
sible capture. Shortly afterwards Colonel Tipton 
attacked Colonel Sevier's house in the latter's 
absence, broke in, seized the court records and 
again carried them away. Sevier, however, was 
equal to the occasion, and hastened to recapture 
them, and hid them in a cave. And so the war 
went on. It was a conflict in which one side or 
the other was always absent when the other at- 
tacked and no blood was shed. 



Independence and Nationality. 257 

Capture of Colonel Sevier. — After this strife 
liad gone on for three or four years, Colonel Sev- 
ier was captured in 1788, and carried to Morgan- 
ton for trial. There he was put in prison, and 
finally put on trial for treason against the State 
of North Carolina. While the trial was proceed- 
ing he was rescued by a number of his followers, 
who daringly burst into the court room, and, to 
the astonishment of the assembled crowd, seized 
the prisoner, hurried him out of the courthouse, 
put him on a horse brought for this purpose, and 
carried him back to his home. On account of the 
distinguished services of Colonel Sevier in the 
Revolutionary war, he was allowed to go free anri 
no further attempt was ever made to re-arrest him. 
With his capture, however, the State of Franklin 
collapsed. North Carolina again took charge and 
the rebellion was at an end. The Continental 
Congress soon afterward accepted the gift, and the 
five western counties were organized into the ter- 
ritory of Tennessee. In 1796 Tennessee was ad- 
mitted to the union as a State and John Sevier 
was elected the first governor. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What cession did the Legislature make in 

1784? 

2. W^hy was it made? 

3. Why did the backwoodsmen rebel? 

4. What did they do? 

5. Who were the backwoodsmen? 



258 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

6. Who was the chief man among them? 

7. Who was elected governor? 

8. What was the name of the new State? 

9. What money expedient was used? 

10. What was the value of a raccoon skin? A 

beaver skin? 

11. Why was that kind of money convenient? 

12. What did Governor Caswell do when he heard 

of the revolt? 

13. Who opposed Sever in the new State? . 

14. Give some account of the strife between the 

two. 

15. When was Colonel Sevier captured? 

16. Tell about his trial and escape. 

17. Why did the State of Franklin fall? 

18. Who was the first governor of Tennessee? 



Independence and Nationality. 259 



CHAPTER XLIII. 
NORTH CAROLINA JOINS THE UNION. 

The Question of Government. — After the close 
of the Revolution, people in North Carolina began 
seriously to consider what relation they should 
sustain toward the people of the other States of 
the Confederation. It was a question whether 
the State should be independent in government or 
join with other States in a union or federation. 
The "original thirteen States," of which North 
Carolina was one, were now thirteen separate 
governments, each independent of the others, ex- 
cept that they were loosly united under the Arti- 
cles of Confederation adopted in 1776. 

Why the States were Bound Together. — While 
the war was going on, the States were bound to- 
gether by questions of common interests ; for then 
there was an enemy in their midst. But when 
the enemy had been driven out, there was no 
longer any reason for the States to act together. 
There was, it was true, a congress to which all 
the States were expected to send delegates. This 
congress, called the Continental Congress, usually 
met in Philadelphia, and had a fixed number of 
delegates from each State, who attended the ses- 
sions regularly during the war, but later became 
indifferent and stayed at home. 

A Closer Union Desired. — In a few years it be- 



260 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

came evident that a closer union of the States and 
a stronger central government w^ere desirable ; for 
many disputes between the people of one State 
and those of another w^ere springing up w^ith no 
courts to settle them. Virginia and Maryland 
v\^ere quarreling over questions of navigation. 
N^w Jersey had levied a tax upon the people of 
New York for the privilege of trading in her ter- 
ritory. Other States were displeased with one 
another because of real or fancied wrongs. There 
had no way been provided for settling these dis- 
putes, and the outlook for continued peace was 
gloomy. People in all the States, therefore, be- 
gan to think it would be best to have a strong 
central government to settle all such matters. 

How People were Divided in North Carolina. — 
People in North Carolina were divided upon this 
question. Many were in favor of uniting all the 
States together into one nation with a president 
and congress to govern. These were called Fed- 
eralists and embraced within their ranks a large 
part of the population. By far the larger number, 
however, wanted the State to remain independent, 
but thought it desirable to have a stronger bond 
of union between the States than was then ex- 
isting. These were called Anti- Federalists or 
States Rights advocates. Willie Jones, of Halifax. 
Samuel Spencer, of Anson, Thomas Person, of 
Granville, Nathaniel Macon, of Warren, Timothy 
P)loodworth, of New Hanover, David Caldwell, of 
Guilford and Joseph McDowell, of Burke, were 
the ablest advocates of States Rights. 



Independence and Nationality. 261 

Delegates to Philadelphia. — In November, 1786, 
a convention of all the States was called to meet 
in Philadelphia in' May of the following year. 
North Carolina chose six of her ablest statesmen 
to represent the wState in that convention, namely, 
Richard Caswell, Hugh Williamson, William R. 
Davie, Alexander Martin, Willie Jones and Rich- 
ard Dobbs Spaight. Caswell was governor of the 
State at that time and declined to serve, William 
Blount being put in his place. Willie Jones also 
refused to serve. The other five went to Phila- 
delphia and assisted in framing the constitution 
of the United States. 

The Federalists. — Although there were many 
glaring defects in the constitution as framed and 
many objectionable features in it, there were many 
people in the State in favor of adopting it in pre- 
cisely the very form in which it was passed by 
the convention. Among these the ablest and best 
known were Samuel Johnston, James Iredell, Wil- 
liam R. Davie, Richard Dobbs Spaight and Archi- 
bald Maclain. lliese men admitted that there 
were defects in the constitution, Init they argued 
that it was best to adopt it and endeavor after- 
wards to improve it. 

Convention at Hillsboro. — 1 n the summer of 
1788 the convention to consider the question of 
adopting the new constitution was called to meet 
at Hillsboro. Samuel Johnston, who was gover- 
nor at the time, was elected chairman. Soon it 
was seen that the Anti-Federalists were in the 
majority. Willie Jones was the leader of the 



262 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

pafty, and had matters largely in his own hands. 
Thomas Person, Samuel Spencer, Timothy Blood- 
worth, Joseph McDowell and t)avid Caldwell were 
also members of the convention and gave their 
influence against the adoption of the constitution. 
The motion to adopt was lost by a vote of 184 to 
84. Thus North Carolina refused to enter the 
union at that time, because the majority of her 
people were afraid to give so much powed to ai 
central government as the new constitution seemed 
to convey. 

Death of Richard Caswell. — Richard Caswell's 
term of office as governor expired in 1787. He 
was not allowed, howeer, to remain in private life, 
for he was elected to the senate from Onslow 
County in 1789, and took his seat in November of 
that year in Fayetteville. Three days after the 
Assembly met Governor Caswell was stricken with 
paralysis and died shortly thereafter. 

The Constitution Adopted. — In November, 1789. 
another convention to consider the adoption of the 
Constitution of the United States met at Fayette- 
ville. This time there was not much opposition, 
for a sufficient number of the States had already 
ratified the constitution and the new government 
had already gone into operation. Amendments 
had also been agreed on and a bill of rights drawn 
up which guaranteed the rights of the States. 
When, therefore, the vote was taken the constitu- 
tion was ratified by a vote of 194 to 77 . Thus 
North Carolina became one of the sisterhood of 
States about eight months after George Washing- 



Independence and Nationality. 263 

ton became the first president of the United 
States. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What question was before the people after 

the Revolution? 

2. How were the States bound together? 

3. Why were members of congress careless 

about attending the meetings? 

4. What disputes arose between States? 

5. How did North Carolina stand on the ques- 

tion of a central government? 

6. Who were the Federalists? The Anti-Fed- 

eralists? 

7. Who were the leading men of each party? 

8. Who were chosen as delegates to Philadel- 

phia? 

9. Where and when did the convention to con- 

sider the new constitution meet? 

10. What party was in the majority? 

11. Why was the constitution not adopted? 

12. What distinguished man died in November 

1789? 

13. When and how was the constitution adopted? 

14. Why was there so little opposition this time? 



264 A Child's History of North Carolina'. 

GENERAL REVIEW OF THE PERIOD OF' 

INDEPENDENCE AND NATIONALITY. 

1776—1789. 



STUDY OF PERSONS. 

Answer the following questions with each of the' 
names given: Who? What? 



General Gage 
Robert Cleveland 
Flora McDonald 
Francis Nash 
General Clinton 
Edward Buncombe 
John Stuart 
Jethro Sumner 
General Rutherford 
John Hamilton 
Samuel Bryan 
Lord Cornwallis 
Richmond Pearson 
Colonel Tarlton 
Benjamin Cleveland 
William R. Davie 
William L. Davidson 
Francis Locke 
David Wilson 
Joseph McDowel 
Hugh Brevard 
John Moore 
George Graham 
Patrick Ferguson 



Isaac Shelby 
John Sevier 
Nathaniel Greene- 
Daniel Morgarf 
Andrew Pickens 
Elizabeth Steele 
Harry Lee 

William Washington 
Joseph Graham 
James Craig 
John Pyle 
Mrs. Willie MdneS^ 
Thomas Burke 
Thomas Wade 
David Fanning 
Philip Alston 
Hector McNeil 
Robert Mebane 
Alexander Martin- 
Thomas Brown 
Willie Jones 
John Slingsby 
John Tipton 
Thomas Person 



independence and Nationality. 



26^ 



STUDY OF PLACES. 

Tell where each of the following places is, and 
what was done there : 



Moore Creek Bridge 

Riddle Knob 

Halifax 

Ramseur's Mill 

Hornet's Nest 

Mclntyre's 

Gilbert Towrt 

Sycamore Shoals 

King's Mountain 

Cowpens 

Cowan's Ford 

Torrence Taverrt 

Salisbury 

Shallow Ford 



Hillsboro 
Hart's Mill 
Guilford Courthouse? 
Witsell's Mill 
Wilmington 
Piney Bottom 
McFall's Mill 
Cane Creek 
Elizabethtowri • 
Tory Hole 
Seven Creeks 
Jonesboro 
Morganton 
Favetteville 



UNION AND DISUNION. 
1789—1865. 

CHAPTER XLIV. 
BUILDING THE CAPITAL CITV. 

A Shifting Seat of Government. — -North Caro- 
lina had no permanent seat of government until 
1792. Previous to that time several towns had 
had the honor, alternately, of being the home of 
the governor, and the place where the Legisla- 
ture met, Edenton was the first to have the dis- 
tinction, but Newbern soon afterward won the 
prize and held it for some years. Later, how- 
ever, Bath, Halifax, Tarboro, Wilmington, Fay- 
etteville and Hillsboro were honored in the same 
way. There was such rivalry between them that 
no one could tell one year where the capital 
would be the next, 

A Permanent Capital Needed. — It was soon 
found out that a moving capital was not the best 
for the State ; for while the seat of gevernment 
was changing from place to place, many vaulable 
papers had gotten lost. Some of these lost papers 
contained rosters of the soldiers, and a record of 
the terms and supplies the State had furnished in 
the Revolution, and, Ix-causc of that loss. North 



268 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Carolina has never received full credit for what 
she did in those dangerous times. For that rea- 
son, with others, people began to desire a perma-- 
nent capital^ where all the records could be safely 
kept. 

The Site Chosen. — The question oi locating the 
capital came up in the convention of 1788. After 
a lengthy discussion, during which the claims of 
the rival towns were presented, it was decided 
that the permanent capital should be located in 
Wake County, somewhere within ten miles of 
Isaac Hunter's farm. Wake County had been 
formed in 1770, and named in honor of Lady 
Tryon, wife of Governor Tryon, her maiden 
name being W^ake. The Legislature of 1791, at 
Newbern, appointed nine commissioners to select 
the exact spot for the capital. At that same ses- 
sion a committee of five was appointed to build, 
on the spot selected by the commissioners, a 
State house at a cost not to exceed twenty thou- 
sand dollars. After some investigation the com- 
missioners selected the farm of Joel Lane, at 
Wake Courthouse, and purchased from him one 
thousand acres of land at a cost of three thousand 
dollars. 

State House Built. — Upon this site a State 
House was built of brick about the same shape 
and size as the one now standing, but of inferior 
construction. It was completed in 1793, and the 
State now had a permanent home for her officers 
and records. 

The City of Raleigh. — Five Public squares w?re 



Union and Disunion. 269 

laid off and named Union, Burke, Caswell, Nash 
and Moore. The State House was built upon 
Union Square, the central one; later the asylum 
for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind was built upon 
one and the Governor's mansion on another. Peo- 
ple moved in, and soon what had been a forest 
became the capital city of North Carolina. The 
New town was called Raleigh in honor of vSir 
Walter Raleigh. 

Beginning of the State University. — The State 
Constitution adopted at Halifax, in 1776, provided 
for the establishment of a University for higher 
education ; but no steps were taken until 1789 for 
carrying out that provision. In the latter year, 
the Legislature passed an act creating the State 
University and providing for the erection of the 
necessary buildings. In accordance with that act, 
General William R. Davie, as Grand Master of 
Masons of North Carolina, laid the corner-stone 
of the East Building in 1793, In February, 1795. 
the institution was opened for the reception of 
students. Ixevercnd David Kerr was the first 
President and, he, with Charles W. Harris, as 
assistant, began in a small way the work of the 
great school on lY^bruary 13, 1795. Hinton James, 
of Wilmington, was the first student to matricu- 
late. 

First Members of Congress. — Two Senators in 
the Congress of the United States were elected by 
the Legislature of 1789. These were Samuel John- 
ston and Benjamin Hawkins. In the elections of 
following year Hugh Williamson, John B. Ashe, 



270 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Timothy Bloodworth, John Steele, and John Sevier 
were chosen representatives of the State to the 
lower house of Congress. 

Trouble With France.— In 1797 the United 
States became involved in a dispute with France. 
President Adams called upon the states to raise 
troops for the war that seemed sure. William R. 
Davie was appointed Major-General of Volunteers 
from North Carolina, but the difficulty was peace- 
fully settled and the troops disbanded. 

The Land Frauds. — It was discovered, in 1798, 
that many fraudulent grants of land had been 
made by James Glasgow, Secretary of State, with 
the intent to defraud the Revolutionary soldiers 
who had received grants of land in Tennessee. 
Glasgow was found guilty and dismissed from 
office. The name of the county of Glasgow that 
had been named in his honor was changed to 
Greene, in honor of the great general who suc- 
ceeded in crippling Cornwallis at Guilford Court- 
house, and sending him to defeat at Yorktown. 

General Davie Elected Governor. — General Wil 
liam R. Davie was elected Governor in 1798, but 
he had not served out his term when he was ap- 
pointed by President Adams as a special commis- 
sioner to France in 1799. Along with the other 
two commissioners he went to Paris, and was 
there received with every mark of honor. 

Plot to Burn the Capitol. — In 1797 a plot to burn 
the State House was discovered. The plot was 
laid, it was believed, by those who were guilty of 
the land frauds, hoping that by burning the Capi- 



Union and Disunion. 271 

tol, all the evidence of their guilt would be de- 
stroyed. Philip Terrall, a negro slave, was caught 
as he entered at night the room containing the 
records. He was tried, found guilty of burglary, 
and hanged. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What towns had been honored with the seat 

of government before 1792? 

2. Why is it better to have a permanent capital? 

3. What papers had gotten lost? 

4. Where was the site to be? 

5. How was the exact spot selected? 

6. What was the cost of the State House? 

7. W^hat did the land cost? 

8. How was the city laid off? 

9. In whose honor was the city named? 

10. Wlien was the law creating the State Uni- 

versity passed? 

11. When was the institution opened to students? 

12. Who was the first to enter? 

13. Who were the first Senators? The first Rep- 

resentatives? 

14. How was William R. Davie honored in 1798 

and 1799? 

15. AVhat land frauds were discovered? Hovv- 

dealt with? 

16. What plot was discovered in 1797? 



272 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XLV. 
THE SPIRIT OF DEVELOPMENT. 

Discovery of Gold. — Previous to 1799 there were 
no gold mines worked in the United States. No 
one at that time dreamed of the abundance of gold 
ore lying undiscovered in many parts of the coun- 
try. In the closing year of the eighteenth century, 
however, an incident occurred in Cabarrus County 
that led to extensive gold mining in North Caro- 
lina. One day, in the sumer of 1799, the children 
of Mr. John Reed, who lived on Meadow Creek 
were playing near the creek. Conrad, the eldest 
son of Mr. Reed, saw in the water a shining ston*^ 
about the size of a smoothing iron. He did not 
know what it was, but it pleased his fancy, so he 
carried the stone to the house. Mr. Reed, thinking 
it might be gold, carried it to a silversmith in 
Concord ; but he, not supposing there was any gold 
in Cabarrus County, said that it was worthless. 
Mr. Reed carried the stone home, and it was used 
for three years by Mrs. Reed to put against the 
door to keep it open. Finally, in 1802, Mr. Reed 
took the stone to a silversmith in Fayetteville, and 
there he learned that it was gold. Mr. Reed sold 
the piece for three dollars and fifty cents, a very 
small price for that much gold. 

The First Gold Mine. — Mr. Reed began to look 



Union and Disunion. 273 

for other pieces of the precious metal, and found 
several very large nuggets, one of them weighing 
twenty-eight ounces. People, hearing of the dis- 
covery, began to search for gold. Mr. Reed sold 
part of his land to ''prospectors," and soon there 
was much excitement over the new discovery. A 
mining company, consisting of Mr. Reed, Fred- 
erick Kisor, James Love, and Martin Phifer, was 
formed for working the mine, and in 1803 they 
began work in the first gold mine in North Caro- 
lina. That was long before the discovery of the 
rich mines in California, and for many years the 
mine on Meadow Creek in Cabarrus County was 
the richest in the United States. 

The Cotton Gin. — Eli Whitney, a native of Con- 
necticut, living in Georgia, had, several years be- 
fore this time, invented the cotton gin. This 
invention had stimulated the production of cotton 
in the State, and in 1802 many of the Whitney 
gins were being used. That year the Legislature 
made an arrangement with Mr. Whitney, by which 
it was agreed that the State should control the 
sale and use of the machines in North Carolina, 
paying Mr. Whitney a royalty on those sold in the 
State. A tax, therefore, of two shillings and six 
pence was levied upon each saw of every machine 
in the State and was collected by the tax col- 
lectors as other taxes were. 

Settlement With the Tuscarora Indians. — King 
Blunt and the remnant of the 1\iscarora Indians 
lived on their reservation, the "Indian Woods" in 



274 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Bertie County, many years after the Indian War 
of 1711. Later, they became dissatisfied, left the 
State, and joined their kinsmen on the Great 
Lakes. Before leaving, they leased their lands to 
white settlers, who agreed to pay a stated yearly 
rental. In the collection of these rents there were 
often disputes between the Indian owners and the 
white tenants, and much trouble resulted. To 
guard against troubles of that kind. President Jef- 
ferson appointed General Davie to the position of 
Indian Commissioner for North Carolina, and em- 
powered him to settle any disputes that might 
arise between the Indian landlords and the white 
tenants. Under the advice of General Davie the 
Indians proposed to sell out to the State. The 
Legislature of 1802 accepted this proposition, and 
an agreement was reached by which the State was 
to pay the Indian owners a stated amount each 
year until 1816, when the lands were to belong to 
the State of North Carolina. Then it was that the 
last trace of the Tuscaroras vanished from the 
State. 

Law Pertaining to Slaves. — The Legislature of 
1802 passed a very stringent law regarding negro 
uprisings, by which any slave found guilty oi 
counseling or engaging in any rebellion or con- 
spiracy against his master should be punished with 
death. This law was the result of some uprising 
among the slaves of Hertford and Washington 
counties, causing uneasiness and fear among the 
white people of the State. No lives were lost on 
account of these disturbances, but dangerous plots 



Union and Disunion. 275 

were discovered among the negroes that might 
have led to fatal results. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. How was gold discovered in Cabarrus County? 

2. Relate the experience of Mr. Reed with the 

gold nugget. 

3. How was the first gold mining company or- 

ganized? 

4. How large a nugget was once found? 

5. Who invented the cotton gin? 

6. How did the State manage the introduction 

of the machines? 

7. What was the cause of disputes between the 

Indian landlords and the white tenants? 

8. Who was appointed to settle these disputes? 

9. How was the matter finally settled? 

10. What law pertaining to slaves was passed in 

1802? 

11. Why was the law necessary? 



276 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XLVI. i 

THE WAR OF 1812. 

Ten Silent Years. — For ten years before 1812 the 
State hardly had a history. The people were pros- 
perous and happy, and there were no political jars 
to disturb them. Nothing of importance occurred 
except the change in the manner of holding courts. 
In 1806 the practice of holding courts only at 
Edenton, Newbern, Wilmington, Halifax, HilL- 
boro, Fayetteville, Salisbury, and Morgantown, 
which had been the rule since 1776, was changed, 
so that court was held twice a year in each county 
in the State. Also the Superior Court Judges, act- 
ing as a Court of Appeals, were constituted a 
Court of Records, thus making the beginning of 
the Supreme Court. 

The Sailors' War. — In 1812 the second war with 
England began. This has been called the "Sailors* 
War," and the "Second War of Independence." It 
was caused by the overbearing conduct of the Brit- 
ish seamen, who had never been friendly with the 
Americans since they had been so badly beaten in 
the Revolution. Sometimes a large British vessel 
would fire a cannon ball across the bow of a small 
American ship, and then board her, pretending to 
be looking for British deserters. Once the British 
man-of-war "Leopard" fired upon the American 



Union and Disunion. 277 

ship ''Chesapeake/* boarded her, and took off four 
Ameriean sailors under the pretense that they were 
deserters. Other American ships were treated the 
same way, until the American people said they 
would stand it no longer. The cry was, "Free 
trade and Sailors' Rights." War was declared 
against England in June, 1812, and the American 
*'tars" went out to chastise the insolent English- 
men. 

No Fighting in North Carolina. — North Carolina 
was practically free from the horrors of the war 
of 1812. All the fighting was done in other states 
and on the sea. While that was true, however.- 
the people of North Carolina did not forget their 
countrymen, who were fighting the British in other 
places. Benjamin Hawkins, who was then gov- 
ernor, enrolled volunteers for the war and sent 
supplies for the army. He had Fort Johnston on 
the Cape Fear and Fort Macon near Beaufort gar- 
risoned, and enrolled the militia of the State, hold- 
ing them in readiness to march wherever needed 
at a moment's notice. Besides, many brave Nortli 
Carolinians, desiring active service, volunteered 
and joined the army in the west. Among them 
was Captain William McRea, of Wilmington, who 
joined the army under General Scott, and was in 
the l)attle of Eundy's Lane. Major Benjamin 
Forsyth, another brave North Carolinian, was in 
the army that invaded Canada, and was killed in 
that campaign. 

General Graham Against the Indians. — W^hcn 
the Creek Indians of Tennessee and Alabama rose 



278 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

in arms to aid the British, General Andrew Jack- 
son was sent against them. One thousand North 
Carolina troops under General Joseph Graham 
joined him and helped to reduce the red men to 
submission. 

The Cherokees of Western North Carolina.- - 
During the war it was feared that the Cherokee^ 
of Western North Carolina would join the British, 
but by the energy of Governor Hawkins they were 
held in check and kept on friendly trems. Once 
during the time Tecumseh, the great Indian chief 
of the Illinois Indians, came to the Cherokee coun- 
try and tried to incite the braves to war, but the 
chief, Junaluska, was opposed to it and advised 
his people to remain on friendly terms with their 
white neighbors. 

Threatened Invasion by the British. — In 1814 
there was a great deal of excitement in eastern 
North Carolina over a threatened invasion by the 
British. Admiral Cochburn, of the British Navy, 
in the early part of that year, sailed into Hampton 
Roads, Va., and captured the town of Hampton. 
He then threatened to attack the towns in eastern' 
North Carolina. In consequence there was consid- 
erable preparation made in Edenton, Newbern, 
Beaufort, and Wilmington to resist the attack. 
The militia was called out, cannon mounted, and 
runners stationed along the rivers to signal the 
coming of the enemy. Admiral Cochburn, how- 
ever, did not carry out his threat, but attacked 
Washington city instead, burnt the Capitol and 
White House and sailed away in triumph. He 



Union and Disunion. 279 

landed troops at Portsmouth, south of Hatteras, 
in North Carolina, but these were later withdrawn 
without making any further effort to prosecute the 
war. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What changes were made in the courts in 

1806? 

2. What war began in 1812? What was the 

cause? 

3. What was meant by "free trade and sailors' 

rights"? 

4. W^hen was war declared? 

5. Where was the fighting done? 

6. What part did North Carolina take in the 

war? 

7. What forts were garrisoned? 

8. Who was William McRae? Benjamin For- 

syth? 

9. W^ho was sent against the Indians? 

10. How were the Cherokees kept on friendly 

terms? 

11. Who was Junaluska? 

12. What was the cause of the excitement in 1814? 

13. What preparations were made? 

14. Where were British troops landed in the 

State? 



280 A Child's History of North CaroHna. 



CHAPTER XLVn. 

NORTH CAROLINA SEAMEN IN THE WAR 

OF 1812. 

Johnson Blakely.- — One of the bravest American 
tars in the war of 1812 was Johnson Blakely, of 
Wilmington. He was one of the most skillful 
officers in the United States Navy, and performed 
many valiant deeds on the high seas. Becoming a 
midshipman in 1800, Blakely had steadily worked 
his way up until, in 1814, he was put in command 
of the sloop-of-war "Wasp," carrying eighteen 
guns and manned by one hundred and sixty men. 

Battle With the Reindeer. — In the sping of 1B14 
Blakely sailed from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 
upon a cruise oft the coast of England. On June 
28th he came in sight of a British man-of-war (the 
Reindeer) and immediately offered battle. The 
"Reindeer" accepted the challenge, and, after firing 
several broadsides, came alongside the "Wasp," 
intending to board. Blakely and his men were 
ready, and every man that leaped aboard the 
"Wasp" was either killed or thrown into the sea. 
As the British hesitated, after repeated attempts 
Blakely at the head of his gallant seamen leaped 
upon the deck of the "Reindeer," and, in a hand 
to hand conflict, beat the enemy from their guns, 
and in a few minutes had them huddled together 



Union and Disunion. 281 

in the forecastle. The ''Reindeer" struck her 
colors, and Blakely took possession. Taking the 
prisoners on board the "Wasp," he had the ''Rein- 
deer" burnt at sea and sailed away. 

Battle With the Avon. — In September, the same 
year, the "Wasp" came upon the British man-of- 
war "Avon" and immediately cleared ship for 
action. The two ships fired broadsides into one 
another for an hour, when the "Avon" struck her 
colors. Blakely ran up alongside and prepared to 
board, but just then several British war vessels ap- 
peared upon the scene, and the "Wasp" was com- 
pelled to flee, leaving the captured prize. One 
British vessel gave chase, but the "Wasp" was of 
superior speed and escaped. 

Lost at Sea. — Blakely continued his brilliant 
career for several months, capturing and destroy- 
ing many merchant vessels. One day he seized a 
British ship, manned her from his own crew, and 
sent her to the United States with despatches to 
the Secretary of War and messages to his friends 
in Wilmington. That was the last ever heard of 
him. It is probable that the "Wasp" founded at 
sea and was lost with all on board. 

The State's Ward.— Captain Blakely left one 
child, a daughter named Udney, only a few months 
old. In 1(S16 the Legislature, in order to show its 
appreciation of the brilliant services of the gallant 
seaman, adopted his daughter as the ward of the 
State, and educated her at the public expense. 

Otway Burns. — Captain Otway Burns, of Beau 
fort, was another brave and skillful sailor, who 



282 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

fought in the war of 1812. At the time the war 
broke out he was on his way from Newbern to 
Portland, Maine, in command of a vessel loaded 
with tar. Reaching Portland, and hearing of tho 
Declaration of War, he resolved to give up his 
business as a trader, and become a privateer. Ac- 
cordingly he sold his ship, bought a larger one 
and equipped her for war. He named her the 
"Snap-Dragon,'* a very appropriate name ; for she 
was one of the fastest sailing vessels in the United 
States Navy. 

Cruise of the "Snap-Dragon.** — Early in the year 
1813 the *'Snap-Dragon" (carrying five heavy guns 
fifty muskets, four blunderbusses, and being 
manned by a crew of one hundred men) sailed 
from Newbern upon a voyage of seven months. 
Upon this cruise Captain Burns captured many 
rich prizes and fought some bloody battles. Once 
in the summer of 1813, he attacked a British vessel 
of fourteen guns and was badly damaged in the 
fight. In the beginning of the battle the British 
poured in a hot fire of grape and canister, which 
riddled the sails of the "Snap-Dragon.** Burns 
however, ran his vessel alongside the enemy and 
hoisted the red fiag, which was the signal for 
boarding. The British met the attack bravely, 
beat off the boarders, and broke loose from the 
embrace of the "Snap-Dragon." Sailing oft' a little 
distance the British vessel turned her prow toward 
the Yankee boat to ram her. Burns was on the 
lookout for that and turned his boat so as to 
escape the blow ; but he did not escape entirely, 



Union and Disunion. 28^ 

for the shock of the collision caused the bowsprit 
and mast to fall with a crash into the sea. Fear- 
ing to contend at such close quarters, the British 
ship sailed away. The "Snap-Dragon" was too 
badly crippled to pursue, but had to make for the 
nearest port for repairs. 

Burns Almost Caught. — Shortly afterward, hav 
ing refitted, the ''Snap-Dragon" came in sight ot 
four large merchant vessels and bore down upon 
them. As he approached the ships Burns' quick 
eye saw that one of the merchant vessels was a 
British man-of-war in disguise, and too strong an 
enemy for his crew. So he gave them a few broad- 
sides and turned to retreat. Then the British man- 
of-war ran up English colors and fired some heavy 
shots at the "Snap-Dragon," which Burns an- 
sw^ered with some shots from his rear guns. The 
enemy pursued with full sail and was gaining on 
the Yankee ship; but Burns was at the helm and 
saw his chance. As the two were going at full 
speed, firing at each other as they went, Burns 
suddenly tacked and sailed by the Englishman at 
a distance of about three hundred yards, going in 
an opposite direction. The enemy fired a broad- 
side as Burns passed, but just as the balls left the 
guns a huge wave hid the "Snap-Dragon" from 
view and the shots passed harmlessly over. Be- 
fore the Englishman could tack and begin another 
pursuit the "Snap-Dragon" was away in the dis- 
tance and soon lost to view. 

Other Services. — Captain Burns continued hi-' 
remarkable career on the sea for more than a vear. 



2S4 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

During that time he captured British vesseK'-' 
amounting in value to more than hve hundred 
thousand dollars. Returning to Beaufort in 1814. 
he sold the booty he had captured and realized a 
nice little fortune. Some time afterward the ''Snap- 
Dragon'* was captured by the British and de- 
stroyed. Captain Burns, however, was not in 
command at the time, being detained at home on 
account of illness. 

Close of the War. — Peace was made between 
England and the United States in December, 1814. 
England discontinued her practice of searching 
American ships, and acknowledged the freedom of 
American seamen. And so "Free trade and sailors" 
rights" was recognized, by England. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. Who was Johnson Blakely? 

2. What promotion did he gain? 

3. Describe the "Wasp." 

4. Give an account of the battle with the "Rein- 

deer." 

5. Give an account of the battle with the 

"Avon." 

6. What became of Blakel}^? 

7. How did the State show appreciation of his 

services? 

8. Who was Otway Burns? 

9. What did he do when war was declared? 

10. What was the name of his ship? How 
manned? 



Union and Disunion. 285 

11. Give an account of the battle with a large 

English ship. 

12. What damage did the "Snap-Dragon" sus- 

tain? 

13. How did the English ship escape? 

14. Tell how Captain Burns got into a close place 

and how he got out. 

15. What was the value of the British prizes 

captured by Burns? 

16. What became of the "Snap-Dragon"? 

17. What were the terms of peace? 



286 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER XLVni. 
SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES. 

Battle of New Orleans. — Two weeks after the 
treaty of peace between England and the United 
States had been signed, but before the news of the 
event had reached this country, the greatest battle 
of the war was fought at New Orleans, La. Sir 
Edward Pakenham, leader of the British forces, 
made an attack upon that place, which was de- 
fended by General Andrew Jackson with a few 
thousand militia. The British regulars, who had 
fought Napoleon in Europe, made three attempts 
on January 8, 1815, to capture Jackson's works; 
but were each time repulsed with severe loss, and 
at last retired in disorder from the field, leaving 
over two thousand of their dead and wounded be- 
hind. The Americans lost only six killed and 
seven wounded. 

Andrew Jackson. — General Jackson, the hero of 
the battle of New Orleans, was born in Union 
County, North Carolina, March 15, 1767. He prac- 
ticed law after the Revolution for some years at 
Salisbury, but later moved to Tennessee, where he 
became famous as an Indian fighter. During the 
war of 1812 he was active in destroying the pow'^r 
of the Creek Indians, who had joined the British. 
After the Indians had been subdued, he made 



Union and Disunion. 287 

preparation to repel the threatened invasion of the 
Gulf States by the British, and resolved to drive 
the invaders back if they should attempt it. The 
hunters and trappers of the West responded to his 
call, and, with them, he won the brilliant victory 
at New Orleans. This signal triumph made him 
the popular hero of the day. He was universally 
praised and loved. His admirers called him ''Old 
Hickory," a name which remained with him as 
long as he lived. Later he was elected President 
of the United States and served two terms. 

Representation in the Legislature. — In 1816 there 
were sixty-two counties in the State. Each county 
had two representatives and the borough towns of 
Edcnton, Newbern, Wilmington, Halifax, Fayette 
ville, Hillsboro, and Salisbury had one each. That 
basis of representation gave the eastern section 
greatly the advantage over the western, for there 
were more counties in the east than in the west. 
The western members sought to organize new 
counties out of the large territory of Rowan, Guil- 
ford, Mecklenburg, Buncombe, and other western 
counties. Some of the eastern counties were small 
and had a voting population of less than five hun- 
dred, while some of the larger western counties 
had over two thousand voters. Still, the large 
counties had the same number of members of the 
Legislature as the small ones. The western mem- 
bers claimed that such a basis was wrong, and that 
another basis (giving every county the strength 
it was entitled to according to population) should 
be adopted. The eastern members maintained 



288 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

however, that the constitution of 1776 was good 
enough; and, as a rule, they resisted any proposi- 
tion to organize a new county in the west unless 
there was one in the east to be formed at the same 
time. 

Internal Improvements. — The strife was mainly 
caused by the question of internal improvements 
The east was well supplied with highways of 
travel and trade on the navigable rivers and 
sounds, but the west was dependent upon the con- 
struction of roads. Several propositions were made 
in the Legislature to levy a special tax to build 
the roads that were needed. The west was in 
favor of such action, but the east almost as a unit 
opposed it. And so the strife went on until an- 
other constitution was adopted in 1835, which 
changed the basis of representation. 

Organization of the Supreme Court. — In 1818 
the Legislature by act organized a Supreme Court, 
whose officers should reside at Raleigh and try 
cases only that should be sent up to them on 
appeal from the Superior Courts. John L. Taylor 
was elected Chief Justice, and Leonard Henderson 
and John Hall were chosen Associate-Justices. 
This was the beginning of the real Supreme Court 
of North Carolina, and abolished the custom of the 
Superior Court judges meeting once a year to hear 
cases on appeal. 

The Public Schools. — Although the Constitution 
of 1776 provided that a system of public schools 
should be established in every county in the State 
there was no step toward carrying out this orovi- 



Union and Disunion. 289 

sion until 1816. In that year, however, Archibald 
D. Murphy brought the matter to the attention of 
the Legislature and urged the organization of the 
schools at an early date. A committee was ap- 
pointed to take the question under consideration 
Mr. Murphy was chairman of this committee and 
made an able report to the Legislature in 1817. 
No funds were found available, however, at that 
time, and nothing further was done until 1825. In 
the latter year Bartlett Yancey introduced a bill in 
the Legislature creating a "Literary Fund," the 
interest of which was to be used in the organiza- 
tion of the common schools. 

Visit of Lafayette. — In 1825 General Lafayette, a 
brave French nobleman who fought in the Ameri- 
can army in the Revolutionary War, came to 
America and visited many towns in the State. 
Everywhere he was received with the most distin- 
guished honor. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Union County? New Orleans? 

Buncombe County? 

2. Where was the last battle of the war of 1812 

fought? 

3. Give an account of that event. 

4. Where was Andrew Jackson born? 

5. For what was he famous? What was he 

called ? 

6. How many counties Were there in 1816? 

7. Name the borou2:h towns. 



290 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

8. How many members of the Legislature were 

from each county? 

9. Which section had the advantage? 

10. What was the contention of the western mem 

bers? The eastern? 

11. What was the main question that caused the 

strife? 

12. When was the Supreme Court organized? 

13. Who were the first justices? 

14. When was the first step taken toward the or- 

ganization of the public schools? 

15. Tell what Archibald Murphy and Bartlett 

Yancey did. 

16. How was Lafayette received on his visit to 

North Carolina? 



Union and Disunion. 291 



CHAPTER XLIV. 
THE CONSTITUTION OF 1835. 

The State House Burned. — In June, 1831, 
through the carelessness of a mechanic at work 
repairing the roof, the State House caught fire and 
was burned to the ground. Chief among the losses 
sustained in that fire was the destruction of the 
marble statue of George Washington, chiseled by 
Conova, the famous sculptor of Italy. For two or 
three years afterward the sessions of the Legisla- 
ture were held in the Governor's Mansion. The 
town of Fayetteville made an effort to have the 
seat of government removed to that city, and 
made some tempting propositions; but they were 
rejected by the Legislature. Steps were at once 
taken to rebuild on the same spot, and to put up 
a larger and more magnificent structure. 

The First Railroad in the State. — tvailroads were 
unknown in this country until 1830. Tn that year 
a short line was run out from Charleston, South 
Carolina. In 1832 a short iron track, at the su"- 
gestion of Mrs. William Polk, was run from 
Paleigh to the quarry, whence the stone for the 
new State House was being hauled. In the same 
year the Legislature passed an act for the exten- 
sion of a railroad from Portsmouth, Va., to Wel- 
ton, N. C. This was the beginning of railroad 



292 A Child's Historj^ of North Carolina. 

building in the State and marks an epoch in the 
industrial development of the commonwealth. 

The Railroad Convention. — The question of rail- 
road building was a very important one in North 
Carolina at that time. Several propositions had 
been made as to the proper method of developing 
the State by that means. In order to give a chance 
for the expression of the many opinions on the 
question, a railroad convention was held in Raleigh 
in 1833. In this meeting many views were ad- 
vanced, but two principal propositions were pre- 
sented, one for building three lines of railroad 
running north and south across the State, and the 
other for building a trunk line east and west the 
entire length of the State. The former idea was 
strongly advocated by William A. Graham, while 
the latter was eloquently presented by Joseph A. 
Hill. The east and west idea was the more pop- 
ular, and by a vote of the convention that proposi- 
tion was adopted. It was a long time, however, 
before the idea was carried out. 

Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. — In the same 
year the citizens of Wilmington, then a town of 
about two thousand inhabitants, met and raised, by 
subscription, a fund of four hundred thousand dol- 
lars for a railroad to be built from Wilmington to 
Raleigh. Later, this plan was changed and instead 
of running from Wilmington to Raleigh, it was 
made to strike the Petersburg and Porstmouth 
roads at Weldon. The Legislature of the follow- 
ing year granted a charter, and the work upon the 
road was begun. When completed it was one hun- 



Union and Disunion. 293 

dred and sixty-two miles in length, for a number 
of years the longest railroad in the United States. 

Constitutional Convention Called. — After a long 
and bitter debate, the Legislature of 1834 voted 
to submit to the people a call for a constitutional 
convention to meet in Raleigh the next year to 
take into consideration the question of amending 
the Halifax Constitution of 1776. This was a con- 
tinuation of the long strife between the eastern 
and western counties. As was expected, the east- 
ern members, almost as a whole, were opposed to 
the proposition, while the western members unani- 
mously favored it. At the election by the people 
the call was carried by a small majority. 

Meeting of the Convention. — On June 4, 1835, 
the great convention met in Raleigh and organized. 
It was composed of some of the ablest men in the 
State, the best known among them being Nathaniel 
Macon, David L. Swain, William Gaston, David 
Outlaw, John Owen, Louis D. Wilson, Richard 
Dobbs Spaight, John N. Morehead, John Branch, 
and Joseph Daniel. For presiding officer of the 
convention all eyes turned to Nathaniel Macon, of 
Warren Or)unty, and he was elected. 

"Nat" Macon.— Nathaniel Macon was at that 
time seventy-eight years of age. Seven years be- 
fore he had resigned his seat in the Senate of the 
United States on the ground that he was too old 
for service. He had served thirty-seven years in 
Congress, a portion of that time in the House of 
Representatives and the remainder in the Senate. 
For many years he was Speaker of the House and 



294 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

a recognized leader. His associates looked upori 
him as the "wisest and best of men," and Thomas 
Jefferson spoke of him as the ''Last of the. Ro- 
mans.'' It was this great and good man that waS 
chosen as president of the convention. 

Work of the Convention. — The convention was 
in session until July 11th, and made some very 
important and needful changes in the corlstitu- 
tion. The following were the chief changes made : 
Borough towns abolished, representation in the 
House of Commons according to Federal popula- 
tion, membership of that branch to be limited to 
one htmdred and twenty, each county that paid 
one-fiftieth of the State tax to have one Senator, 
smaller counties formed into senatorial districts, 
sessions of the Legislature to be every two years 
instead of every year, free negroes disfranchised, 
and the governor thereafter to be elected by the 
people for two years instead of annually by the 
Legislature, as had been done since 1776. 

First Governor Under the New Constitution. — 
In the fall of that year the constitution as amended 
was submitted to the vote of the people and rati- 
fied by a majority of over five thousand. At the 
same election E. B. Dudley, candidate of the Whig 
party for governor, was elected over Richard 
Dobbs Spaight, candidate of the Democratic party. 
This was the first time that a governor had been 
elected by the people. 



18 



Union and Disunion. 295 

QUESTIONS. 

1. How was the State House burned? 

2. What was one of the chief losses? 

3. Where did the Legislature meet for some 

year after this? 

4. What town tried to get the capital? 

5. Where was the first railroad built in Amer- 

ica? In North Carolina? 

6. Name some other railroads that were built o 

projected. 

7. Where was a railroad convention held? For 

what purpose? 

8. What propositions were presented? Which 

was adopted? 

9. How was the Wilmington and Weldon Rail- 

road begun? 

10. How long is it? 

11. Why was a Constitutional Convention called 

in 1835? 

12. How did the eastern and the western sections 

of the State stand on the call? 

13. Name some of the leaders in the convention. 

14. Who was elected president of the convention ? 

15. 1Ydl something of Nat Macon. 

16. Give the principal changes made in the con- 

stitution of 1776, 

17. Who was elected the first governor under the 

new constitution? 
What two political parties wxre in the State 
at that time? 



296 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER L. 

THE CHEROKEE INDIANS AND THEIR 
RESERVATION. 

Removal of the Tribe. — During the early years 
of the nineteenth century the Indians in the east- 
ern part of the United States began to be restless 
and to look toward the land of the setting sun, 
whither so many of their people had already gone. 
The Federal government offered them lands in 
what is now the State of Oklahoma in exchange' 
for their lands east of the Mississippi River. Many 
of the tribes accepted the offer and left their old 
hunting grounds for new ones in the West. The 
Cherokees of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee; and 
North Carolina, by a treaty of 1816, were encour- 
aged to remain in their homes; but later war 
broke out between the government and these In- 
dians, resulting in much bloodshed and bringing 
considerable trouble "Upon the frontier settlements 
in those states. It was thought best, therefore, to 
remove the savages to a reservation in what after- 
ward came to be known as the Indian Territory. 
They were allotted lands and given instructions to 
go to their new homes ; but they clung to their 
native hills and refused to go. A part of the 
United States army under General Winfield Scott 
was sent to force a removal ; and finally a large 



Union and Disunion. 297 

number yielded, giving up their mountain homes 
for the prairies of the West. 

The Eastern Band. — ^That part of the tribe that 
was Uving among the mountains of North Caro- 
lina refused utterly to go. When General Scott 
came they fled to the wildest parts of the mount- 
ains and hid themselves in the thickest rhododen- 
drum marshes. Many of them were hunted dowm 
and taken by force. Many others secreted them- 
selves in the mountain fastnesses and could not be 
found. Some even that were captured escaped 
from their captors far on the journey to the West 
and returned to their homes. Later, on account of 
their devotion to their native hills, the government 
allowed the remnant to remain. The State of 
North Carolina granted them a reservation in what 
is now Graham, Jackson, and Swain counties, upon 
which they have since lived. This remnant is 
called the Eastern Band of the Cherokees and now 
numbers about sixteen hundred. 

Intemperance and Yonaguska. — Until 1830 the 
Cherokees were very intemperate in the use of 
alcoholic liquors. In that year, however, Yona- 
guska, or ''Drawing Bear," became chief of the 
tribe in North Carolina and began some reforms, 
He was a sensible Indian, and saw that drunken- 
ness among his people was their greatest fault. By 
some persuasion and coercion he succeeded in get- 
ting most of them to sign a pledge to quit the use 
of spirituous liquors. It was strictly kept. If an 
Indian broke the pledge he was publicly whipped 
and forced to take another pledge more binding 



298 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

than the other. As a result there was very little 
drunkenness among them for many years, for the 
pledge was kept during the lifetime of Yonaguska. 
A White Chief. — For many years before the be- 
ginning of the Civil war Colonel William H. 
Thomas was chief of the tribe. He was chosen 
by the Indians themselves at the advice of Yona- 
guska. Thomas had lived for many years among 
the Indians and was popular among them. He 
held the position until the breaking out of the 
Civil w^ar, when he and many of the Indians joined 
the Confederate army, doing splendid service dur- 
ing that struggle. After the Civil war the United 
States government took the tribe more directly 
under its supervision. A splendid government 
school is now maintained on the reservation, and 
the Indian boys and girls are receiving a liberal 
education. 



MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where are Graham, Jackson, and Swain coun- 

ties? 

2. Why did many Indians move to the Indian 

Territory? 

3. How were the others induced to go? 

4. What is the Eastern Band? Why did they 

refuse to g^o west? 

5. Why were they allowed to remain? 

6. Where is their reservation? 

7. What bad habit had the Indians? 



Union and Disuniori. 2^9 

B. Who became chief in 1830? What reform did 

he undertake? 
9. How was one treated who broke the pledge? 

10. Who was elected chief after Yonaguska? 

11. How did he manage the Indian affairs? 

12. What did he do in the Civil war? What has 

the government done for the Indians? 



300 A Child*s History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LI. 

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INDUSTRIAL 
DEVELOPMENT. 

Opening of the Public Schools. — Important leg- 
islation respecting the public schools was enacted 
in 1838. Each county was divided into districts, 
not over six miles square, and a school house 
ordered built near the centre of each district. The 
County Court was commissioned to select ten 
capable men to act as superintendents to manage 
the schools of their county. No State superintend- 
ent was provided for as yet, but the ten supervis- 
ing officers in each county were expected to per- 
form the duties not only of the superintendent but 
also of the county boards of Education. The public 
schools opened under this law in 1840. 

The Public School Fund. — Besides the "Literary 
Fund'* that had been created in 1825, there were 
now several other sources of revenue for the 
schools. The United States government paid to 
the State one and a half million dollars as the 
proceeds of the sale of public lands. By act of the 
Legislature this fund was to be held in trust and 
the interest used in carrying on the schools. There 
were allotted also to the schools the State's divi- 
dends derived from bank stock and from the Cape 
Fear and the Roanoke Navigation Companies, as 



Union and Disunion. 301 

well as the revenue derived from a tax on retailers 
of spirituous liquors and the keepers of taverns. 
The State swamp lands were likewise made a part 
of the assets of the public schools. It was esti- 
mated that the fund derived from these various 
sources would be sufficient to run the schools three 
or four months in each year. 

Colleges Established.— The year 1838 was fur- 
ther notable in the educational life of the State in 
the establishment of two higher institutions of- 
moved from the State in boyhood, or early man- 
General William L. Davidson, was built under the 
auspices of the Presbyterian Synod of North Caro- 
lina and opened for students that year. Wake 
Forest College, the Baptist school for boys, was 
chartered the same year, though it had been in 
existence as a high school since 1834. Dr. Robert 
H. Morrison was the first president of Davidson 
College, and Dr. Samuel Wait, of Wake Forest. 

Great North Carolinians in Other States.— At 
this time many North Carolinians had risen to 
eminence in other States. Many of them had 
learning. Davidson College, named in honor of- 
hood, and had won fame and fortune in their 
adopted homes. Among these were Andrew Jack- 
son, who had moved to Tennessee in his young 
manhood, and had twice been chosen President of 
the United States; Hiomas H. Benton, United 
States Senator from Missouri for twenty years; 
Spencer Jarnigan, United States Senator ' from' 
IVnnessee; William R. King, United States Sena- 
tor from Alabama and afterward Vice-IVcsident 



302 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

of the United States; Jesse Spaight, Senator from 
Mississippi; John Bragg, member of Congress from 
Alabama; John Branch, Governor of Florida; and 
James K. Polk, Speaker of the National House of 
Representatives and afterw^ard President of the 
United States. There w^ere others in the states 
North and West v\^ho w^ere rising to honor and 
usefulness in their chosen vocations, some of them 
reaching national fame shortly afterv^ard. 

Gold Hill. — In 1842 a rich vein of gold v^as dis- 
covered on the land of Andrew^ Troutman in 
Row^an County. The mine w^as shortly thereafter 
developed and named Gold Hill. It w^as consid- 
ered at that time very rich, yielding about one 
hundred thousand dollars in gold bars every year. 

Annexation of Texas. — James K. Polk v^as elect- 
ed President of the United States in 1844. At that 
time the entire country was excited over the pos- 
sibility of a war with Mexico on account of the 
admission of Texas into the Union as a State. 
Texas had been a province of Mexico, but in 1836 
revolted and set up an independent republic with 
Sam Houston as the first President. Mexico did 
not acknowledge the new government and sent an 
army into Texas to reduce the people to submis- 
sion. A battle was fought at San Jacinto and the 
Mexican army routed. The Mexican government 
however, never acknowledged the independence of 
the infant republic, and when the Congress of the 
United States admitted Texas as a State war be- 
came inevitable. 



Union and Disunion. 303 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where- is Davidson College? Wake Forest 

College? 

2. Where is Gold Hill? 

3. When did the public schools begin work? 

How were they managed? 

4. What fund was set aside for the support of 

the schools? 

5. What other sources of revenue were there? 

6. What was the length of the school term? 

7. What colleges were established the same 

year? 

8. Who were the first presidents of the colleges? 

9. Name some of the great North Carolinians in 

other states at the time. 

10. For what is Gold Hill noted? 

11. What caused the Mexican war? 



304 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LIl. 

WAR WITH MEXICO. 

North Carolina Soldiers for the War. — Although 
the war with Mexico was unpopular in North 
Carolina, the State furnished her full quota of 
troops for that struggle. Colonel Robert T. Paine, 
in command of the first regiment of volunteers, 
responded to the President's call for troops and 
hastened to the Rio Grande to Join General Tay- 
lor's army of occupation. Louis D. Wilson, of 
Edgecombe County, a private in the regiment, 
was at that time a member of the State Legisla- 
ture. He at once* resigned his seat at Raleigh, 
bade farewell to his associates, and set out with 
his company for the seat of war. Before reaching 
Mexico, Wilson was chosen Colonel of the twelfth 
regiment of infrantry ; but he did not live to add 
glory to his name by heroic deeds on the battle- 
field. He was taken ill with fever and died in 
the midst of brilliant deeds of heroism performed 
by the American army near the City of Mexico. 
His memory, however, lives in the name of one 
of the State's best counties. Colonel Paine and 
his regiment did garrison duty throughout the 
war at Camargo. Other North Carolinians, among 
them Capt. J. H. K. Burgwyn, Major Samuel 
McRee, Capt. W. J. Clark and Junius B. Wheeler 



Union and Disunion. 305 

enlisted in the regular army of the United States 
and performed signal service on the field of battle. 

Captain Bragg. — Braxton Bragg was one of the 
bravest soldiers in General Taylor's army. He 
was born in Northampton County and educated 
in the school of the soldier at the West Point 
Military Academy. When the war with Mexico 
began he was captain of a company of volunteers 
in the regular army of the United States. He 
was conspicuous for gallantry at the capture of 
Fort Brow on the Rio Grande and promoted to the 
command of a battery of artillery. By his heroic 
conduct in battle, Bragg won the confidence of 
General Taylor. 

Invasion of Mexico. — After the Mexicans had 
been beaten at Palo Alto and Reseca de la Palma 
and driven out of Texas, General Taylor crossed 
the Rio Grande and began his march to the City 
of Mexico. He took by storm the strongly forti- 
fied city of Monterey and set out upon his long 
journey to the Mexican capital, determined to end 
the war by dictating terms of peace in the palace 
of the Montezumas. Before he had gone far on 
the way, however, he received orders from Presi- 
dent Polk to halt where he was and send the 
larger part of his army to reinforce General Scott 
in an attack upon Vera Cruz. General Taylor 
w^as indignant at the order, but he obeyed. He 
kept five thousand men and sent the main part of 
his army to General Scott. Captain Bragg re- 
mained with "Old Roui^h and Readv" as the sol- 
diers affectionatelv called General Tavlor. 



306 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Approach of Santa Anna. — After having sent 
away the bulk of his men, General Taylor posted 
himself at Buena Vista and waited for further 
orders. In a few days intelligence reached him 
that Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, with an 
army of twenty thousand men, was coming against 
him. Taylor was not alarmed, for he thought that 
his little army of five thousand men was a good 
match for Santa Anna and his host. The Mexi- 
can army came up within a few hundred yards 
and halted. Santa Anna sent a despatch to Taylor 
ordering him to surrender, but "Old Rough and 
Ready" answered that he would defend his posi- 
tion to the last. 

Battle of Buena Vista. — As soon as he had re- 
ceived General Taylor's reply, Santa Anna ordered 
a charge upon the American works ; but Taylor 
was ready and successfully repulsed the assault. 
Again the Mexicans charged the works and suc- 
ceeded in breaking the lines at one point ; but by 
the heroic stand of Jefferson Davis and his Mis- 
sissippi regiment the Mexicans were beaten back. 
After repeated assaults on the American front 
without avail Santa Anna ordered a flank move- 
ment. Taylor saw the attempt and directed Cap- 
tain Bragg to rush forward his artillery to check 
the advance. Bragg planted his battery within 
fifty yards of the advancing enemy and poured 
into their ranks a hot fire of grape and canister. 
Great gaps were made in the ranks of the Mexi- 
cans. General Taylor was watching Bragg with 
admiration, and cheered those around him by 



Union and Disunion. 307 

pointing- to the artillery-men and praising their 
heroic action. Riding near the battery he raised 
his hat and said, "(live them a little more grape, 
Captain Bragg." The order was obeyed and the 
Mexican lines were broken. Santa Anna lost 
about 2000 men in this battle while Taylor lost 
about 700. It was a complete victory for the 
Americans. 

Close of the War. — The next year, 1848, the 
City of Mexico was captured by the American 
army under General Winfield Scott, and soon 
thereafter peace was made. Mexico yielded every 
point at issue, acknowledged the independence of 
Texas and ceded to the United States California, 
Arizona, New Mexico and a portion of Utah, the 
national government paying to Mexico fifteen 
million dollars for those vast districts. The suc- 
cess of the American arms was complete, and the 
supremacy of the Stars and Stripes on the western 
continent was established. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. Who was Colonel Robt. T Paine? Louis D. 

Wilson? What service did Paine render? 
Wilson? 

2. Name other North Carolina heroes of the 

Mexican war. 

3. Who was Braxton Bragg? How did he win 

promotion? 

4. How did he win the confidence of General 

Taylor? 



308 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

5. Why did General Taylor stop at Buena 

Vista? 

6. How many men did Santa Anna have? 

7. Who probably saved the American army from 

defeat? 

8. What was Captain Bragg ordered to do? 

9. How did Taylor show his appreciation of 

Bragg's effort? What were his words? 

10. What were the losses on each side? 

11. When was peace made? What were the 

terms of peace? 

12. What did the war establish? 



Union and Disunion. 309 



CHAPTER .LIII. 

PROGRESS OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 

North Carolina Railroad. — Considerable excite- 
ment attended the session of the General Assembly 
of 1848. Early in the session a bill was intro- 
duced authorizing the Governor and State Treas- 
urer to purchase stock to the value of two million 
dollars in the proposed railroad from Beaufort to 
Charlotte, afterward knowm as the North Caro- 
lina Railroad. After a protracted and bitter fight 
in both houses, during which much ill feeling was 
stirred up, the bill was passed and became a law. 
In the senate the vote on the measure was a tie, 
and the presiding officer, Calvin Graves, cast the 
deciding vote for the railroad. For this reason 
Mr. Graves was severely criticised by the people 
of his owm county, Caswell, and was defeated for 
re-election. 

• Condition of the State's Insane. — At the same 
session a bill for establishing an asylum for the 
insane was introduced, but as many large appro- 
priations had already been made it was feared that 
the bill could not be passed that year. Every 
member of the Legislature recognized the neces- 
sity of such an institution, for the indigent insane 
were being confined in jails without medical at- 
tention. It was a pitiable condition of affairs. 



310 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

In 1848 Miss Dorothea Dix, of Massachusetts, 
came to Raleigh and delivered an address in which 
she urged better treatment of the insane. Miss 
Dix was an enthusiastic worker, and her stay in 
the capital city at the time the matter was under 
consideration was very fortunate. 

How the Asylum Bill was Passed. — James C. 
Dobbin, of Fayetteville, was at that time one of 
the ablest men in the General Assembly. He 
opposed the asylum bill because of the low con- 
dition of the public finances. Mrs. Dobbin, al- 
though an invalid, was greatly interested in public 
matters and especially in the passage of the bill to 
relieve the insane. She became acquainted with 
Miss Dix and the two often talked over their 
plans for the success of the measure, but could 
not gain the assistance of Mr. Dobbin. As time 
passed Mrs. Dobbin's health gradually failed, and 
it was known that she was dying. Her interest 
in the asylum, however, continued to the last. 
Just before her death she asked Mr. Dobbin to 
promise her that he would support the bill when 
it came to a vote, and he, anxious to do anything 
in his power for her comfort, told her that he 
would. Those were almost her last words, for 
she shortly afterward died. Soon thereafter the 
bill came up for discussion, and Mr. Dobbin de- 
livered an eloquent speech in favor of it, in which 
he told how his dying wife had begged him to 
vote for the measure and related her dying words. 
Nearly every member of the House wept as he 
was speaking, and when the vote was taken the 



Union and Disunion. 311 

bill was passed almost unanimously. Thus the 
asylum was established by the efforts of one 
woman and the dying prayer of another. 

First Superintendent of Public Instruction. — The 
public schools of the State had no official head 
until 1852 when Dr. Calvin H. Wiley, of Oxford, 
was chosen to the position of Superintendent of 
Public Instruction. Dr. Wiley found the educa- 
tional interests in bad shape, but by untiring in- 
dustry he brought the schools, in a few years, to 
a condition of great usefulness. He visited every 
section of the State and became acquainted with 
the conditions in every neighborhood. He also 
wrote the "North Carolina Reader," a book con- 
taining many beautiful and patriotic selections 
about North Carolina, all of which were intended 
to develop a more worthy State pride. 

Mount Mitchell Discovered. — In the summer of 
1857, Dr. Elisha Mitchell, professor of geology in 
the State University, lost his life while wandering 
among the Black Mountains of Yancey County in 
search of geographical truths. All of the geogra- 
phies, published before 1857, had stated that 
Mount XWishington in New Hampshire was the 
highest mountain east of the IMississippi River. 
Dr. Alitchell believed the statement to be an error, 
and by careful measurements proved that Black 
Dome in Yancey County is considerably higher 
than Mount t\^ashington. About the same time 
Colonel T. L. Clingman, of Asheville, took the 
measurement of some mountains in the Great 
Smoky range, and asserted that there are moun- 



312 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

tains in the State even higher than Black Dome\ 
Dr. Mitchell was engaged in taking further meas- 
urements in the Black Mountains to prove that 
Clingman was mistaken when he lost his footing' 
and was dashed to pieces at the bottom of a 
mountain gorge. His body was found a few days 
afterward by "Big Tom" Wilson, a mountaineer 
living near, and taken to Asheville where the 
funeral was held. The remains were afterwards 
hurried on top of Black Dome which is now called 
Mount Mitchell in honor of the distinguished 
scientist who lost his life near its summit. It 
is the highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains. 
A monument to the memory of Dr. Mitchell has; 
been erected on its top. 



MAP STUDIES AND QUESTION^. 

1. Where is Caswell County? Oxford? Yancey 

County? 

2. Point out the Black Mountains; Black Dome; 

Asheville. 

3. What railroad was proposed in 1848? How 

was the bill passed? 

4. What other important question came up at 

the same session? 

5. What was the condition of the indigent in- 

sane? 

6. Who was Miss Dorothea Dix? 

7. Why were the members of the Legislature" 

opposed to the asylum? 



Union and Disunion. 313 

8. Tell how Mr. Dobbin was induced to vote 

for the bill. 

9. Who was the first Superintendent of Public 

Instruction? 

10. How did Dr. Wiley improve the schools? 

11. What book did he prepare? 

12. How did Dr. Mitchell lose his life? 

13. What did he prove? 



314 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LIV. 
IN SLAVERY TIMES. 

Introduction of Slavery. — Some Dutch traders 
in 1620, brought a shipload of negroes to James- 
town, Va., and sold them to the planters as slaves. 
This was the beginning of negro slavery in Amer- 
ica, it was found that slavery w^as profitable, 
and others joined the Dutch in the slave trade. 
Soon all the colonies had slaves. They were 
brought into North Carolina as soon as the first 
permanent Settlements were made, and in a short 
time slavery was one of the principal institutions 
of the colony. In later times some of the larger 
plantations had more than three hundred slaves. 

Slave Dealers. — There were in those days men 
who dealt in slaves just as men deal in horses 
now, buying and selling for gain. Sometimes 
these slave dealers bought up a large number 
and drove them to other States to sell, and in 
that way made fortunes for themselves. This was 
done by men in the North aS well as in the South. 

How the Slaves were Treated. — Sometimes mas- 
ters were cruel and treated their slaves brutally 
but that was unusual Negroes were worth from 
three hundred to two thousand dollars a piece, 
and it was, therefore, to the interest of their 
owners to take good care of them. Besides, the 



Union and Disunion. 315 

majority of slave owners were kind, and treated 
their slaves as members^ of their own families. 
As for the slaves themselves they were happy 
and contented on the plantations. They were al- 
lowed all the freedom they seemed to Want, and 
were given the privilege of visiting other planta- 
tions whenever they chose to do so. All that was 
requirred of them was to be in place when work 
time came. At the holiday season they were 
almost as free as their masters. 

Corn Shuckings.' — On a large plantation, timeg 
of fun and frolic were frequent. One great oc- 
casion was the corn shucking festival. This us- 
ually occurred at night in November, after the 
corn had been hauled from the fields. Long piles 
of corn in the shuck were made in the barnyard, 
and invitations sent to all the negroes on the 
neighboring plantations to come to the corn shuck- 
ing. Often hundreds came, and as they shucked 
the corn, sang the plantation melodies, and told 
their rustic jokes. 

The Log Rolling. — Another big occasion was 
the log rolling. This occurred generally in the 
spring of the year. The trees were cut down in 
the winter, cut into logs, and invitations issued 
in March to all the negroes around to come to the 
log rolling. Every one came, for- it was planta- 
tion etiquette to do so. When all assembled, 
handspikes were given out and the men paired 
off according to strength. 11ien the tog was 
rolled upon two or three handspikes lying flat ort 
the ground. Kach man grasped his end of the 



316 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

handspike, and, at the word, up came the log to 
be borne away to the heap. Each man must carry 
his end, or be "pulled down," a disgrace all wanted 
to shun, it often happened that a champion was 
found who could "pull down" all his rivals and 
Stand forth as the hero of the occasion. Then 
his admirers chanted his praises, and, when the 
log rolling was over, took him upon their should- 
ers and carried him about the field in triumph. 

Relation of Master and Slave. — Those were good 
times in North Carolina and throughout the South. 
The master and his slaves were generally friends. 
The children of the two played together, and 
many an Uncle Remus told stories to white and 
black children around the kitchen fire. The 
black "mammy" was a person of great respecta- 
bility on the plantation in those days. 

Abolitionists of the North.' — There were many 
people of the North who thought it wrong to own 
slaves, although years before their ancestors had 
sold slaves to the people of the South. They were 
called Abolitionists, because they wanted to abol- 
ish slavery. These people got control of many of 
the .State governments in the North and passed 
laws called "Personal Liberty Laws," which in- 
duced many negroes to run away from their mas- 
ters and escape to the North. Finally the Abolit- 
ionists, by electing Abraham Lincoln President, 
got control of the United States government and 
threatened to have slavery abolished throughout 
the South. 

Indignation in the South. — Most people in 



Union and Disunion. 317 

North Carolina were really opposed to slavery and 
were in favor of a gradual emancipation. Slavery 
was already in existence, however, through no 
fault of theirs. They had the slaves and had to 
manage as best they could the problem of what 
to do with them. Many slave owners were pur- 
suing the policy of setting their slaves free, a few 
at a time, expecting that at no distant time all 
the slaves would be set free and sent to Africa. 
But when the Abolitionists began to speak and 
act so violently, the southern people became in- 
dignant and declared their purpose to defend their 
rights which the constitution of the United States 
guaranteed them, bluntly saying to the people of 
the North that the negro problem belong to the 
South and could best be settled by southern 
people. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. When was negro slavery introduced into 

North Carolina? 

2. What did slave dealers sometimes do? 

3. Why was it to the interest of an owner to 

treat his slaves kindly? 

4. What privileges were given to slaves? 

5. Give some particulars of the corn shucking 

festival ; the log rolling. 

6. What was the relation between master and 

slave? 

7. W^ho were the Abolitionists? What were 

"Personal Liberty Laws?" 



318 A Child's History of North CaroUna. 

8. How did the people of North Carohna stand 

on the slavery question? 

9. Who had the best right to settle the negro 

problem? 
10. Did the Southern people have the right to 
own slaves? 



Union and Disunion. 319 



CHAPTER LV. 

NORTH CAROLINA SECEDES FROM THE 

UNION. 

Election of Abraham Lincoln. — At the election 
in November, 1860, Abraham Lincoln, the candi- 
date of the Abolitionists, was elected President of 
the United States, receiving the solid vote of his 
party and carrying most of the Northern States. 
He polled very few votes in the South. His elec- 
tion was sectional and had been accomplished be- 
cause of the fact that the Democratic party had 
two candidates and had almost equally divided 
the vote between them. 

Secession of Nine States. — Inasmuch as Mr, 
r>incoln had been elected by the Abolitionists 
and had declared himself opposed to allowing 
the Southern people to solve the negro problem 
alone. State after State resolved to leave the union. 
South Carolina was the first to pass an ordinance 
of secession, which was done December 20, 1860. 
as soon as it became evident that the government 
was to pass into the hands of the Abolitionists. 
Six other States, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mis- 
sissippi, Louisiana and Texas, quickly followed 
the example of .South Carolina, and by February 
1, 1861, had severed their connection with the 
Federal Union. Delegates from these seven se- 



320 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

ceding States met in convention at Montgomery, 
Ala., February 4th, organized a provincial gov- 
ernment called the Confederate States of America, 
and elected Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, Presi- 
dent and Alexander H. Stephent, of Georgia, Vice- 
president. This was done one month before Lin- 
coln became President of the United States. Vir- 
ginia and Arkansas, soon therafter, passed ordin- 
ances of secession and cast their lots with the 
other seven. Richmond, Va., was chosen as the 
capital of the Confederacy as the nine seceding 
States now began to be called, and troops were 
rapidly raised for the war which seemed inevi- 
table. 

Conservation in North Carolina. — People in 
North Carolina were divided upon the question 
of secession. Many hoped for some other solution 
by which they might maintain their rights and 
preserve the constitution. George E. Badger, one 
of the conservative statesmen of the times, op- 
posed secession. The Whig party and a large 
wing of the Democratic party steadfastly main- 
tained that it would be suicidal to withdraw from 
the union. Many of the most prominent men in 
the State, among them William A. Graham, Zebu- 
Ion B. Vance, Governor Ellis and others, were 
opposed to the State's casting her lot with the 
Southern Confederacy. Early in 1861, therefore, 
the Legislature, by a joint resolution of the two 
houses, decided to submit the question of calling 
a convention to the voters of the State. The elec- 
tion occurred on February 28th and by a small 



Union and Disunion. 321 

but substantial majority the proposition to call a 
convention was Aoted down. Thus a majority 
of the people of the State expressed themselves as 
being opposed to secession. 

Lincoln Calls for Volunteers. — April 12, 1861, 
Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston, S. C, 
garrisoned by United States troops, was bom- 
barded and captured by Confederate soldiers under 
General George T. Beauregard. That event 
stirred the people both North and South. Not 
many people at that time really expected war. In 
the South it was thought by many that the right 
of secession would be acknowledged and the Con- 
federacy would be established without great 
bloodshed. In the North a large part of the popu- 
lation were in favor of allowing the erring sisters, 
as Horace Greely expressed it, to depart in peace. 
It was, therefore, a great surprise when the news 
flashed over the country that h'ort Sumter had 
fallen. Immediately President IJncoln called for 
seventy-five thousand volunteers to j)ut down what 
he called a rebellion in the South. He called upon 
the governors of all the States to furnish their 
quotas of troops, that of North Carolina being 
about fifteen hundred. (joxernor h>llis re])lied 
that North Carolina would not furnish a man 
To fi:;ht her sister States and would gi\c no aid 
Avhate\er in a war against them. 

In Conflict with the United States. — The refusal 
of (jovernor Kllis to respond to the call of Persi- 
dent Lincoln brought North Carolina in direct 
conflict with the Ignited .States iro\ernment. At 



322 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

once, therefore, Governor Ellis called the Legis- 
lature together in extra session to determine what 
was best to be done. There was great excitement 
all over the State. The Legislature met and 
quickly issued a call for a convention to meet in 
Raleigh on May 20th. In the campaign which 
followed, the question really before the people 
was, ''Shall North Carolina remain in the union 
and help to make war on her sister States in the 
South, or withdraw from the union and abide 
results?" It seemed to be war in either case. 
The election resulted in an overwhelming major- 
ity for the convention. 

North Carolina Secedes. — When the convention 
met on May 20th, there was no one to uphold the 
Federal union. All the members were now seces- 
sionists. Badger, Graham, Davis, Vance and 
others, who had opposed the disruption of the 
union at first, now threw the weight of their in- 
fluence in favor of an immediate separation from 
the Federal government. Senator Badger, in a 
burst of eloquence, expressed the sentiment of 
the convention when he said, "We have come to 
the parting of ways and we must take one or the 
other. Both ways lead to war, the one with our 
brethren of the South, the other with the North. 
Between the two it is not hard to choose. I cast 
my lot with the people of the South." 

The vote was taken almost in silence on the 
first day of the convention and the ordinance was 
passed unanimously, dissolving the union which 
had existed for seventy-four years. North Caro- 



Union and Disunion. 323 

lina was the next to the last to join the union in 
1789 and the next to the last to leave it in 1861, 
Tennessee followed on June 8th, 

QUESTIONS. 

1. Tell how Lincoln was elected President. 

2. What States seceded in December and Janu- 

ary, 1861? 

3. Who were elected President and Vice-pres- 

ident of the Confederacy? 

4. W^hat city was selected as the capital? 

5. How did the people of North Carolina stand 

on the question of secession? 

6. What prominent men opposed secession? 

7. How did the 'people \ote on the matter? 

8. What happened on April 12th? 

9. How did Governor Ellis answer Lincoln's 

call for troops? 

10. Why was the Legislature convened? 

11. What question was before the pe(~)ple in the 

campaign? 

12. How^ did the election carry? 

13. How did the leading men stand on the ques- 

tion now? 

14. A\^hat were the words of Senator Badger? 

15. How was the \c)te taken and with what 

result? 



324 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LVI. 
NORTH CAROLINA FIRST AT BETHEL. 

Activity in North Carolina. — Although the State 
was late in seceding from the union, her soldiers 
were among the first to engage in active military 
operations. Twenty days after the ordinance of 
secession was passed, a regiment of North Caro- 
lina troops and some Virginians fought and won 
the first battle of the war at Bethel, near York- 
town, Va. 

The Bethel Regiment. — The regiment that won 
the victory at Bethel was afterwards called the 
"Bethel regiment." It was organized at Raleigh 
early in May and was composed of some of the 
best men in the State. Daniel H. Hill, of Char- 
lotte was elected Colonel. Hill was a veteran of 
the Mexican war and had been superintendent of 
a military school at Charlotte. He was well fitted 
for the position to which he was chosen. About 
the first of June the regiment was ordered to 
Yorktown, Va. The command left Raleigh amid 
the excitement of the times and arrived at York- 
town without delay. There the regiment was 
given a position of responsibility in the little army 
commanded by General James B. Magruder. The 
Federal army at Fort Monroe, near Yorktown, was 
under the command of General Benjamin F. But- 



Union and Disunion. 325 

lef, afterwards called "Beast'^ Butler and old 
"Spoons" on accoVint of his alleged cruelties and 
plunderings at New Orleans. At that time But- 
ler was planning- to make an advance upon Rich- 
mond, the capital of the Confederacy. 

Hill Sent to Bethel. — 1V) check the threatened 
advance of the Federals, General Magruder sent 
Colonel Hill to occupy an outpost at Bethel 
Church. When the North Carolinians came to the 
place, they found that some of the scouts from 
the Federal army had been there before them; 
for, on the walls of the church were written such 
expressions as "Death to the traitors!" "Down 
with the rebels !" and other like phrases. Colonel 
Hill took possession and fortified his position with 
earthworks, behind which his men and a few com- 
panies of Virginia militia lay and waited for the 
Federal advance: 

Advance of the Federal Army. — As soon as But- 
ler heard that Hill had fortified himself at Bethel, 
he sent forty-four hundred men under General 
Pierce to dislodge him. Hill had only fourteen 
hundred men to meet this large force, but his 
little army was eager to meet the enemy, and he, 
therefore, felt sure of victory. To deceive the 
F>derals the North Carolinians and the Virginians 
covered their earthworks with boughs of trees, 
and lay perfectly still behind them. General 
Pierce left his eamp about midnight so as to reach 
Bethel early on the morning of June 10th, and 
attack Colonel Hill before light. He divided his 
force into two divisions and sent them on by dif- 



326 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

fcrent roads. The two roads came together at a" 
point about three miles from Bethel Church, and 
when the two divisions reached that point each 
thought the other a Confederate army and opened 
fire in the darkness. For some time the battle^ 
raged, much to the delight of Hill and his men, 
who lay behind their breastworks and shouted to 
the Federals who were shooting one another. 
Soon, however, the ct:)nflict ceased as the mistake 
was discovered, and the two divisions united in 
an attack upon the Confederate position. The 
North Carolinians were ready and poured into 
their ranks a raking fire: 

Volunteers Called For. — After being repulsed 
a company of Federal sharp-shooters took position 
in a house near the lines and poured into the Con- 
federates a g"alling tire. Colonel Hill resolved to 
burn the house. He called for volunteers to set 
fire to the house, and five young men stepped 
forward. One of the volunteers was Henry L. 
Wyatt, of Edgecombe County. With hatchets, 
kindling wood, and matches in hand, the five 
heroes leaped over the earthworks and began their 
perilous run to the house. The Federals opened 
upon them with all of their guns, and bullets were 
as thick as hail. No one could live in such a 
storni of shot and shell as that. Henry Wyatt 
fell dead with a bullet in his forehead, and the 
others retreated to the earthworks. Then the 
Confederates turned their guns upon the house 
and it was soon in flames. 

Retreat of the Federals.— Soon thereafter the 



Union and Disunion. 327 

Federals were driven from the field with a loss 
of about seventy-five men. They retreated in 
haste to Fort Monroe and made no further attempt 
to capture Bethel. This was the first battle of the 
war, and W'yatt was the first Confederate soldier 
to be killed, and the only one killed in this battle. 
While the battle was an unimportant affair it 
showed the Federal authorities that the Confed- 
erates were in earnest, and that a long war was 
before them. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What was the first battle of the war? 

2. What soldiers were in this battle? 

3. Who was Colonel Hill? 

4. Where was the regiment ordered to? 

5. Who commanded the Federal army at Fort 

Monroe? 

6. What was he planning to do? 

7. Where was Colonel Hill sent? 

8. What did the troops find at Bethel Church? 

9. What did Colonel Hill do? 

10. What was the size (=>f the Federal army sent 

against him? 

11. What happened to the Federal army in the 

darkness? 

12. h^or what were volunteers called? Who re- 

sponded ? 

13. What happened to them? 

14. Wdiat was the loss of the I'ederals? 

15. Why was the battle important? 



328 A Child's History of North CaroHn^, 



CHAPTER LVn. 
THE STATE INVADED. 

War Preparations. — During the summer of 1861 y 
thousands of men volunteered for the war. North- 
Carolina was like one great military camp. Ad-^ 
jutant-General James G. Martin was the leader in 
these preparations. Soldiers were drilling in 
nearly every neighborhood. Before the year was 
out forty-five regiments had been equipped and 
sent to the front. By the first of the next year 
North Carolina had more soldiers in the field than 
any other southern state. Virginia was the battle 
ground, because Richmond was the capital of the 
Confederacy, and the Federals were trying to get 
it in their possession. President Davis ordered 
nearly all of North Carolina's best soldiers fo Vir- 
ginia to guard the capital city. As a consequence, 
very few soldiers were left to protect the State 
form any threatened attack. 

Battle of Manassas. — On July 21st, a great bat- 
tle was fought at Manassas, Va., in which the Fed- 
erals under General McDowell were totally de- 
feated by the Confederates under Generals Beau- 
regard and Johnston. The sixth North Carolina 
regiment under Colonel Charles F. Fisher took 
part in this battle and helped to drive the Feder- 



Union and Disunion. 32^ 

c*ils from the field, Unfortunately^ however, the 
i^allant Colonel Fisher was slain. 

North Carolina Unguarded. — In August, 1861, 
General Butler, the same who commanded th(^ 
Federals at Fort Monroe in June, brought his 
army by ship down the coast and made an attack 
upon Fort Hattress, on the extreme eastern coast 
of North Carolina. That point was very poorly 
defended. Only a few Confederates were there 
in an old wooden fort, and the guns they had 
could hardly shoot across the rivef. 

Federals Capture Hatteras. — When Butler came 
within range of the fort, the North Carolinians 
fired upon him with grape and canister. He 
backed off a little distance, where the balls of the' 
Confederate guns could not reach him, and shot 
the fort to pieces. It took him two days to do 
that, but at the end of that time, August 29th, the" 
Confederates, under Colonel William F. Martin, 
surrendered. That was a calamity to North Caro- 
lina, for it opened to the Federals all the sounds 
and rivers of the Albamarle and Pamlico sections. 

Capture of Roanoke Island. — The Federals did 
not follow up their success at once. They re- 
n-iained at Hatteras several months. About the 
first of February, 1862, however, General Burn- 
side, who had superseded General Butler, ordered 
an advance u]) the Albemarle Sound. ITe Con- 
federates had posted themselves on Roanoke Ls- 
land directly in the Vv'av of the movement of the 
enemy. Colonel H. M. Shaw was in command 
of the post, and had unler hi n about twenty-two 



330 A Child's History of North Carolina; 

hundred men. On February 7th, the Federals 
came in range of fort and were fired upon by the 
Confederates. Burnside landed about ten thous- 
and men on the island and attacked the fort on 
several sides at once, and after a stubborn resis- 
tance the Confederates were compelled to sur- 
render to overwhelming numbers. 

Capture of Newbern. — Burnside began to ad- 
vance against Newbern about the first of March, 
1862. General L. O'B. P)ranch, with less than 
fi\e thousand men was there to defend the city. 
He was no match, however, for the fifteen thous- 
and Federals who came against him. The enemy 
made an assault upon the Confederate line on 
March 14th, and completely outflanked General 
Branch's little army, driving it easily before them 
and capturing Newbern. 

Heroism of Vance.-— lliere was one regiment 
in Branch's army that held its ground to the very 
last, only left the field when it was seen that all 
was lost. That was the Twenty-sixth North Caro- 
lina Regiment, commanded by Colonel Zebulan 
B. Vance, tlis men beat back every assault of 
the enemy, but when it was seen that the other 
part of the army had retired, Vance ordered a 
retreat. Seeing, however, that he was cut oiif 
from the main army, he made a wide detour 
around the Federals in order to rejoin the main 
army under Branch. Branch had retreated to 
Kinston and was sorrowing over the supposed 
capture of Van<^e and his regiment ; but soon a 
drum beat was heard toward the south. All 



Union and Disunion. 331 

looked in that direction, and saw Colonel Vance 
marching into town at the head of his regiment 
with colors flying and the band playing "Dixie/' 
"Vance how did you escape?" asked General 
Branch, as soon as he came in speaking distance, 
"We all thought you and your regiment were 
captured." 

"My regiment was about to capture the whole 
Yankee army," replied Vance in his characteristic 
way, "But we found there were more of them 
than we could bring away. So we left them." 
Shortly afterward Colonel Vance was elected 
governor of the State, and left the army to begin 
more important duties at the State capital. 

Fall of Fort Macon. — In a short while after the 
fall of Newbern, the Federals made an attack upon 
Fort Macon at the entrance to Beaufort harbor. 
This was surrendered after a slight resistance. 
And so it came to pass early in 1802, that the 
Federals came into North Carolina and carried 
everything before them for a time. They estab- 
lished themselves at Newbern and Beaufort, and 
made no further advance that year. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Hatteras? Kingston.'' 

2. How niany regiments did North Carolina 

send to Virginia in 1861 ? 

3. \\ hy was Virginia the battlefield? 

4. Why was North Carolina left unguarded? 

5. W hat bra\'e Xortli ('arolina officer was killed 

at the battle of M'lnassas? 



§32 A Child's History of North Carolina* 

6. Frbm what point did the Federals invad<? 

the State? 

7. Tell how Fort Hatteras wils captured? 

8. Why was that a calamity to the State? 

^. Who succeeded General Butler in command 
of the Federals? 

10. Give an account of the capture of Roanoke 

Island. 

11. Who commanded the Confederates at New^ 

berrl? 

12. When did that town fall into the hands of 

the Federals? 

13. Relate the story of Vance^s heroism. 

14. To what office was Vance soon afterward 

elected? 

15. What other place in North Carolina did the 

Federals capture? 



Union and Disunion. 333 



CHAPTER LVIII. 
FURTHER PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 

Building of Fort Fisher. — Early in 1862, Colonel 
William Lamb, of Norfolk, Va., was placed in com- 
mand of the Thirty-sixth North Carolina Regiment 
and stationed at Federal Point, near the mouth of 
the Cape I^>ar River. Under instructions from the 
Confederate authorities Colonel Lamb built there 
a fort which afterward proved to be one of the 
strongest fortresses in the Southern States. It was 
named Fort Fisher, in honor of the lamented Colo- 
nel Charles F. Fisher, who was killed at the first 
battle of Manassas. 

Little Fighting in North Carolina. — During the 
summer and fall of \S(^2 there was very little fight- 
ing in N(^rth Carolina. The Federals, after the 
fall of Newbern, overran many of the eastern coun- 
ties, and established themselves in the larger towns 
of that section. Washington, Plymouth, Edenton, 
and Elizabeth City fell into thcMr hands without 
resistance. During that time small forces of Con- 
federate were stationed at Kinston, Goldsboro. 
and Rainbow lU-nd on the Roanoke River to watch 
the movements of the enemy. Thus the vear 
passed without further operations in the State. 
Some of the greatest battles in all history, how- 
ever, were being fought in other states, and as 



334 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

North Carolina officers and men acted a conspicu- 
ous part in most of tlicm, it will be necessary to 
follow some of these events somewhat closely. 

Battle of Williamsburg. — About the first of May, 
1862, the Federal army under (ieneral George B. 
McClellan began to advance from Fort Monroe, 
Va., against Richmond. The Confederate army, 
under (jeneral Joseph E. Johnston, retreated before 
him toward the Confederate Capital. At Williams- 
burg, on May 5th, Johnston turned upon his pur- 
suers and gave them a bloody repulse. In this 
battle the Fifth North Carolina Regiment, under 
Colonel Duncan McRae, charged across an open 
field in the face of a destructive fire and captured 
a Federal battery ; but it was done at a fearful 
cost. Nearly three-fourths of the men composing 
the regiment were either killed or wounded. 
Hardly an officer was left to command the regi- 
ment, Colonel McRae himself being among the 
wounded. After thus inflicting upon the enemy 
a heavy loss, Johnston continued his retreat toward 
Richmond. 

Battle of Seven Pines. — At Seven Pines, near 
Richmond, on May 26th, was fought one of the 
bloodiest battles of the year. Johnston ordered 
dencral D. H. Tlill to drive McClellan from his 
fortified position on the Chickahominy River. This 
was brilliantly done. Soon, however, being heav- 
ily reinforced, the Federals returned to the battle, 
which then raged w^ith fury until both sides were 
exhausted. Colonel William D. Pender, in com- 
mand of the Sixth North Carolina Reoriment. made 



Union and Disunion. 335 

a brilliant cluiri^c u])on the enemy's lines and was 
personall}' commended by President Jefferson 
Davis, who was on the battle field and saw the 
heroic conduct of the X^orth Carolinians. Presi- 
dent Davis, with earnest words of praise, promoted 
Colonel Pender to the position of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, it being one of the few times such an honor 
was conferred upon an officer during a battle. 
Another brave North Carolinian, (General J. J. 
Pettigrew, did heroic service also on this occasion. 
He was leading his brigade in a charge upon the 
b>deral lines when he was shot through the neck 
and left for dead upon the field. He fell into the 
hands of the enemy, but was shortly afterward 
exchanged and returned to the army. In the 
same battle Colonel George B. Anderson's regi- 
ment, the gallant Fourth, suffered dreadful losses. 
It went into the battle with 520 effective men and 
came out with 5*S fit for duty. 

Battle of Antietam.. — After a week of hard fight- 
ing around Richmond about the last of June, 1862, 
in which the hA'derals were beaten in nearly every 
conflict and drixcn to the shelter of their gunboats, 
(ieneral Robert K. Lee, now in command of the 
Confererlate army. in\ aded Maryland in Se])tem- 
her and threateru'd to attack W^ashington. Mc- 
(.'lellan was hastil\' recalled froni Virginia to de- 
fend the national C"a])ital. The two armies met in 
a hotl\' contested battle at Antietam on Se])tember 
17th. As in pre\ious battles. North Carolina sol- 
diers, forming more than one-third of Lee's army. 
distinG:uished themselves bv their endurance and 



336 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

bravery. General L. O'B. Branch, leading his 
brigade in a desperate charge, was mortally 
wounded. General George 1». Anderson, another 
gallant son of North Carolina, w^as also killed in 
this battle. Lee, although he had less than half 
the number of men that were in the Federal army, 
held his ground throughout the battle, and slowly 
retreated afterward unmolested across the Potomac 
River into Virginia. 

Battle of White Hall. — Near Kinston, December 
15th, was fought the battle of White Hall. Gen- 
eral N. (t. Evans, of South Carolina, was in com- 
mand of the Confederates stationed at Kinston. 
where he was furiously assailed by a Federal army, 
said to be twenty thousand strong, under General 
Foster, who was making a raid from Newbern 
upon Goldsboro. The battle raged all da}^ and 
at nightfall Foster retreated toward Goldsboro. 
leaving upon the field about two hundred dead 
and sending, it is said, more than a thousand 
wounded to Newbern. Foster pushed on toward 
Goldsboro, but at White Hall, about eighteen miles 
from Goldsboro. he was met by another Confed- 
erate force vmder General Beverly Robertson and 
fiercely attacked. Foster turned aside from his 
antagonists as best he could and kept on his 
march. Reading Goldsboro, Foster set fire to the 
railroad bridge there and retreated to Newbern. 
General Clingman, who was in command of the 
Confederates at Goldsboro, had repulsed the at- 
tack, but did not pursue the Federals. 

Attack on Plymouth. — December 10. 18()2, Colo- 



Union and Disunion. 337 

ncl AV. F. Martin, in command of the small Con- 
federate force at Rainbow Bend, attacked the Fed- 
erals at Plymouth and dro\e them from the town. 
In the progress of the battle the town was almost 
destroyed by fire. Martin then retreated to Rain- 
bow Bend, carrying with him twenty-five prisoners 
and seventy-five negroes, who had some time be- 
fore escaped from their masters and joined the 
Federals. Shortly thereafter Plymouth was re- 
occupied by the enemy. 

Close of the Second Year of the War. — At the 
close of 1862 people all o\er the South were rejoic- 
ing at the important victories that had been 
achieved. Nearly all the great battles of the year 
had been won by the Confederates. There was. 
therefore, a decided ste]) toward the achievem-ent 
of southern independence. 



MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Point out the location of Fort bisher ; Wash- 

ington; Edenton; Elizabeth City; Plymouth; 
Kinston; Goldsboro; Rainbow Bend; White 
Hall. 

2. What fort did Colonel Lamb liuild at the 

mouth of the Cape b\^ar? 

3. What did the Federals do in ihc eastern 

counties? 

4. Where were Confederate forces established? 

5. What was North Carolina's i)art in the battle 

of Williamsburg? 



338 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

6. Give particulars about Pender in the battle of 

Seven Pines ; about Pettigrew and Anderson. 

7. Tell what part North Carolina played at 

Antietam. 

8. Give particulars about Foster's raid upon 

Goldsboro. 

9. Tell how Martin captured Plymouth. 

10. How did matters stand at the close of 1862? 



Union and Disunion. 339 



CHAPTIlR LIX. 
PROGRESS OF EVENTS. 

The Advance.— Early in 1802 the Federals had 
blockaded nearly every port in the southern states. 
As that cut the South off from the outside world, 
there was consequently suffering for the want of 
food and clothing", in order to relieve the priva- 
tion in North Carolina to some extent, Governor 
Vance bought in f:ngland a fast running steam 
packet, known there as the "Lord Clyde," which 
he intended to transform into a blockade runner. 
The vessel w^as re-named the "Ad- Vance," in com- 
pliment to the governor, and put under the com- 
mand of Captain Idiomas M. Crossan. In charge 
of that skillful oflicer, the "Ad-Vance" made regu- 
lar trips to Nassau, slipping by the Federal block- 
ading squadron at the mouth of the Cape Fear, 
and brought in bacon, sugar, coffee, shoes, blank- 
ets, and clothing, vs'hich were obtained in exchange 
tor cotton. 

The Destruction of the "Ad-Vance."— The Fed- 
erals made many efforts to capture the "Ad- Vance" 
but without success, because the North Carolina 
boat was a fast runner and used smokeless coal. 
Fmally, however, near the close of the war she, 
while on a trip, ran out of the smokeless coal, and 



340 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

had to use the Deep River coal, which left such a 
smoky trail behind that she was easily tracked, 
run down by the Federal boats, and destroyed. 

A Pretender. — In consequence of the Conscrip- 
tion Act, which passed the Legislature in the 
winter of 1862, by which all able-bodied men be- 
tween eighteen and forty-five were compelled to 
join the Confederate armies, there was some ex- 
citement and disturbance in a few neighborhoods 
in the State. In Randolph County a man by the 
name of Marble Nash Taylor, being supported, it 
was supposed by the Federal authorities at Wash- 
ington, denounced the Conscription Act, and pro- 
claimed himself Governor of North Carolina, issu- 
ing a proclamation calling upon the people of the 
State to secede from the Southern Confederacy and 
rejoin the United States. His proclamation ex- 
cited only a little laughter and no one heeded it. 
He was threatened with punishment by the State 
authorities, and was glad to escape by surrender- 
ing his pretensions. 

Hospitals for Soldiers. — Governor Vance, in or- 
der to afford all the comfort he could to North 
Carolina soldiers, established wayside hospitals at 
Weldon, Goldsboro, Wilmington, Raleigh, Greens- 
boro, Salisbury, and Charlotte, where sick and 
wounded soldiers were cared for, and where those 
who were passing to and from their homes to the 
front might stop and rest. In these hospitals there 
were skilled physicians and trained nurses to re- 
lic\e the suffering of the wounded and dying. 
Many patriotic ladies offered their services as 



Union and Disunion. 341 

"nurses in those hospitals, and did many a deed of 
charity amono^ the unfortunate sufferers. 

Battle of Chancellorsville. — In the meantime des- 
perate hghtino- was going on in Virginia. At 
Chancellorsville was fought on the first three days 
t)f May, 1863, one of the bloodiest battles of the 
war. Lee. with an army of about forty thousand 
men, nearly one-half of whom were North Caro- 
linians, defeated a Federal army of one hundred 
iind tw^enty thousand under General Hooker, and 
drove them across the Rappahannock River.' Of 
the ten thousand Confederates lost in this battle 
about one-half were from North Carolina. By this 
victory the way was opened for an invasion of 
Pennsylvania, w^hich Lee was not slow in putting 
into execution. Before following that eventful 
invasion, however, two or three events that hap- 
pened in North Carolina must be noted. 

The Federal Raiders Baffled. — Near the last of 
JunK.\ 18()3, a fleet of hY^deral gunboats came up 
the Chowan River from Edenton, and near Winton 
landed a regiment of cavalry, which attacked and 
dispersfxi a small Confederate force at MilLs 
Bridge, Hertford County. Two days later another 
small Confederate force was attacked near Mur- 
freesboro and defeated. 1^he Federal cavalry, then 
under Colonel Spear, pushed on toward Weldon. 
intending to burn the railroad bridge at that point. 
At Boon's Mill, however, in Northampton County, 
they were met by a small Confederate force under 
General M. W. Ransom, and, after an obstinate 
•engagement, were driven from the field. General 



342 A Child's History of North CaroHna. 

Ransom and his victorious troops pursued the' 
Federals until they found shelter with their gun- 
boats on the Chowan. 

The Buffaloes. — Tn many of the eastern counties 
there were some unpatriotic white men, who took 
sides with the Federals and became spies upon 
their neighbors. They entered into arrangements 
with the eriem}^ stationed at Plymouth, Newbern 
Washington, and Fdenton, by which they could 
pass into those places and carry news of the move- 
ments of the Confederates and do other treasonable 
things. The patriotic North Carolinians called 
them "Buffaloes" and would have nothing what- 
ever to do with them. They were thoroughly de- 
spised, ostracised from society, and expelled from 
the churches of which they were members. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. What was the result of the blockade of south- 

ern ports in 1862? 

2. How did Governor Vance relieve the sufl'er- 

ings in North Carolina? 

3. What did the "Ad- Vance" do? 

4. Tell how the "Ad- Vance" was destroyed. 

5. Why was there some local disturbances in 

the winter of 1862? 

6. What did Marble Nash Taylor do? 

7.. Where did (iovemor Vance establish hospi- 

tals? 
8. What occurred at Cbancellorsville? 



Union and Disunion. 343 

9. What part of Lcc's army in that battle were 
North Carolinians? 

10. What occurred at Hill's Bridge? 

11. What was the object of Colonel Spear's raid? 

12. Where and how was he defeated? 
Iv3. W^ho were the Buffaloes? 

14. How were they regarded by the patriotic 
North Carolinians? 



344 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LX. 

FARTHEST TO THE FRONT AT GETTYS- 
BURG. 

Lee Marches to the Northward. — Soon after the 
battle of Chancellorsville, General Lee led his vic- 
torious army northward, intending to carry the 
war into the enemy's country. At that time he had 
sixty-eight thousand of the finest troops ever as- 
sembled in America. North Carolina, along with 
the other states of the South, had sent the flower 
of her soldiery to aid in this great enterprise. 
General Pettigrew wath fresh levies hurried from 
Goldsboro to Virginia and joined Pee a few days 
before the grand army began its march to the 
Potomac. 

Battle of the Big Hats. — Crossing the Potomac 
River about the last of June, Lee marched through 
Maryland into Pennsylvania. The Federal army 
had hastened from Virginia, and, now numbering 
one hundred and eighteen thousand muskets under 
General Meade, was strongly posted at Gettysburg. 
Pa. The vanguard of the Confederates pushed oit 
to Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, and ex- 
cited fear and alarm there. As Colonel Piryan 
Grimes, with his North Carolina regiment, which 
was leading the van, approached Harrisburg, about 
five hundred men of the Pennsvlvania state guard 




Soldiers Monument at Raleigh, N. C. 



Union and Disunion. 34^ 

came out to drive back the "bloody rebels," as 
they called the Confederates. The Pennsylvanians 
were wearing sugar-loafed hats and stiff standing 
collars, and marched forward with drums beating 
and banners flying. Colonel Grimes saw them 
coming and concealed his men near the road and 
waited. The high hats came bobbing along until 
they came in good range, when Grimes ordered 
his men to fire. At the first discharge the sugar- 
loafed hats began to fly in every direction, and 
after the flight the road was strewn with headgear, 
(irimes and his men gathered up the hats and bore 
them oft in triumph, 

First Day at Gettysburg. — On July 1st General 
Pettigrew, leading the firing line of Lee's army, 
came in sight of the Federals posted on Seminary 
kidge, and at once attacked them. The division 
of Heth^ under the command of Pettigrew and 
Pender, stormed the enemy's entrenchments and 
drove them at the point of the bayonet from their 
guns through the streets of Gettysburg. The flee- 
ing Federals took refuge upon the impregnable 
heights of Cemetery Ridge, and the pursuing Con- 
federates halted for a much needed rest. 

Second Day's Battle. — Next day the battle was 
renewed with determination on both sides. Pen- 
der's division was in the attacking column and a 
part of his command captured a portion of the 
enem\''s works, but (ieneral Pender himself was 
mortally wounded and taken from the field in a 
dying condition. His death was a serious loss to 
the Confederacy. With desperate courage and 



346 A Child's History of North CaroUna. 

energy the Federals niahitained their position, and 
at the close of the day was still in possession of 
Cemetery Ridge. 

Pettigrew's Charge. — On July 3rd Pettigrew and 
Pickett made the famous charge upon Cemetery 
Ridge. General Lee selected Pickett's Virginians 
and Pettigrew's North Carolinians to make this 
last attempt to drive the Federals from their posi-' 
tion. Pettigrew's men were not in the best of 
condition that day, for they had fought hard on 
the first day of the battle, and as they stood in 
line ready to charge many of them had their heads 
and hands bandaged from wounds already received' 
Pickett's men, on the other hand, were fresh and 
had not l)cen in l)attlc. When the signal was 
given, these two divisions of brave men moved 
steadily across the plain toward the enemy's works. 
All the Federal batteries opened upon them, and 
great gaps w(^re made in their ranks, but they did 
not Hindi. On they wxMit until some reached the 
h^ederal works, leaped over the embankments, and 
bayonetted the men at their guns. Some of Petti- 
grew's men seized a battery, turned the guns upon 
the fleeing gunners, and drove them to the 
woods beyond. But the works thus captured 
could not be held. So many had been killed in 
the charge that the few who reached the works 
looked around ami found themselxes almost alone 
amid the thousands of the enemy, and were either 
killed or captured before they could retreat to a 
place qf safetv. (hi account of a bend in the 
enemy's works IV'ttigrew's column had to go far- 



Union and Disunion. 347 

Iher than Pickett's to reach the entrenchments. 
Both columns were compelled to fall back, because 
they were not properly supported. General Lee 
rode forward to meet the disheartened soldiers as 
they returned from the charge. He raised his hat 
as they cheered, and said : "You have done all 
that brave men could do. ddnis is my fault. 1 ha\e 
lost this battle." 

The Retreat From Gettysburg. — After waiting 
in his camp two days to see if Meade would at- 
tack him, Lee began his retreat to Virginia, (jcn- 
eral Pettigrew was put in command of the rear 
guard as a post of honor to beat off the Federal 
attacks. While the army was crossing the Poto- 
mac the l^Vderal made several assaults upon the rear 
line, but were each time beaten l)ack with severe 
losses. In one of these attacks Cieneral Pettigrew 
was desperately wounded. He was taken across 
the ri\er and carried to the home of a well-to-do 
farmer, where shortly afterward he died. In this 
campaign North Carolina lost two of her ablest 
generals and about four thousand men. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. What did (leneral Lee intend to do when he 

began his march northward? 

2. fb)w many men were in Lee's army? In 

Meade's? 

3. Relate the story of the big hats. 

4. What was done in lhe first day's battle? 1 he 

second? 



348 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

5. What is said of General Perider? 

5. VVhb led the charge on the third day? 

7. In what condition were Pettigrew's men? 

Pickett's? 

8. How far did the attacking colunlrl go? 

9. What did some of Pettigrew's men do? 

10. Why did they ric^t hold the works? 

11. What were General Lee's words to them? 

12. How was General Pettigrew killed? 

13. How many men did North Garolina lose iri 

the Gettysburg campaign? 

14. Which column of sokiiers went the farthest 

to the front at (Gettysburg? 



Union anH Disunion. 349 



CHAPTER LXI. 
PICKETT'S ATTACK ON NEWBERN. 

Depreciation of Confederate Money. — Early in 
18(^3 some business men, in portions of the South, 
began to refuse Confederate money in payment of 
debts, or in purchase of commodities. Their re- 
fusal caused others to doubt the value of the cur- 
rency, and by the last of the year Confederate bills 
were worth only about five per cent, of their face 
value. This lack of confidence came about by the 
o\'er-issue of paper money by the Confederate 
government and the states of the Confederacy, and 
the disasters to the l\)nfederate arms at Vicks- 
burg and Cettysburg. In consequence of this de- 
preciation tbe ])rices of all goods were fabulously 
high. Mohisses sold for eight dollars a gallon, 
Tueal at fifteen dollars a bushel, sugar at one and 
a half dollars a pound, meat at one dollar a pound, 
black pep])er at eight dollars a pound, and other 
things in ])ro])()rti()n. 

Negro Soldiers. — During the same year the Eed- 
eral authorities offered extra inducements to negro 
slaves to leave their masters in the .^outh and join 
the I nion army, promising them freedom and good 
])a\- in the service (^f the Cniled States. Many 
slaves accepted the offer and fled from their homes. 
To the credit of the negroes, it should be said, 



350 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

however, the bulk of them remained faithful to 
their masters, starved on the farms, made the crops, 
and took care of their mistresses while their mas- 
ters were in the Confederate army fighting to keep 
them in slavery. Those that fled to the Federals 
were put into companies and regiments by them- 
selves. 

Pickett Sent to North Carolina. — Near the last 
of January, 1864, General Pickett, one of the heroes 
of the third day's battle at Gettysburg, was sent 
from Virginia into North Carolina with a division 
of troops with orders to drive the Federals out of 
Newbern. \A^ithout delay he attacked the enemy's 
works near the town, but was repulsed with con- 
siderable loss. In the meantime. General J. G. 
Martin, with a brigade of North Carolina soldiers, 
attacked the Federals at Shepherdsville, a few 
miles east of Newbern, and drove them from their 
position. Martin intended pushing on toward 
Newbern and assisting General Pickett in the 
capture of that place, but, learning that the attack 
had already been made and had failed, he with- 
drew his forces. 

A Daring Feat Planned. — February 1st the Fed- 
eral gunboat Underwriter was captured and de- 
stroyed by the Confederates within rifle shot of 
the Federal l)atteries in the harbor of Newbern. 
It was one of the most daring achievements of the 
war. The Underwriter was a powerful gunboat 
that had come into North Carolina waters in 1862. 
She had fired the first gun at Roanoke Island, and 
had assisted in the capture of Newbern. Since that 



Union and Disunion. 351 

time the formidable craft had been lying idly at 
the wharf, but always ready to resist any attack 
that might be made to recapture the town. A plan 
was laid to destroy the boat, and Captain John T. 
Wood, who was stationed at Kinston, was gi\en 
the duty of carrying out the plan. Four cutters 
were brought by rail from Wilmington and three 
from Petersburg, Va., and put into the river at 
Kinston for the use of the attacking party. 

Capture of the Underwriter. — Embarking upon 
these flat-bottomed boats, Wood and his deter- 
mined band rowed down the river, and on the 
night of February 1, 1864, silently approached the 
Underwriter as she lay at anchor in the harbor. 
Before reaching the side of the boat Wood and 
his men were discovered and fired upon, but they 
made no stop. Bending low to their oars and 
dogding the shells as best they could, the Con- 
federates reached the Underwriter, climbed to the 
deck, fighting hand to hand with the enemy, and 
in a brief time had them beaten to their quarters 
and forced to surrender. Captain Wood then gave 
orders to get the vessel under way and to carry 
her up the river. It was found, howexer, that the 
hres were banked and there was not steam enough 
to move her. At the samc^ lime the Federal bat- 
teries along the river began firing. It was, there- 
fore, decided to burn the boat where she law 
Kindling a fire in the wheel-house, the Confeder- 
ates with their prisoners left, and the l^nderwriter 
was soon enxeloped in flames. In this daring deed 
the Federals lost six men killed, twenty-two 



352 A Child's History of North Carolina, 

wounded, and nineteen prisoners. About thirty 
of the enemy leaped into the river during the fight 
and escaped. The Confederate loss was slight. 

Pickett Recalled to Virginia. — General Pickett, 
after his unsuccessful assault on Newbern, and 
even before the Underwriter was destroyed, re- 
treated to Kinston and there awaited orders. 
Shortly afterward he was recalled to Virginia, and 
the effort to drive the Federals from Newbern was 
abandoned. Thus an enterprise which at first 
promised complete success and which meant much 
to the people of eastern North Carolina ended in 
dismal failure. The Federals retained possession 
of Newbern to the close of the war. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. Why did Confederate money depreciate in 

value? 

2. Give some prices of goods at that time. 

3. What inducements did the Federal authorities 

offer the negroes to join them? 

4. How did most of the slaves act? 

5. Why was General Pickett sent to North Caro- 

lina? 
h. What did he do at Newbern? 

7. What success had General Martin? 

8. What was the Underwriter? 



Union and Disunion. 353 

9. What was the plan to destroy it? 

10. Who had command of the expedition? 

11. Tell how the Federal boat was captured, 

12. A\^hy was the Underwriter burned? 

13. What were the losses? 

14. What did General Pickett do after his failure? 



354 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LXIJ. 

THE RAM ALBEMARLE AND THE CAP- 
TURE OF PLYMOUTH. 

General Hoke Sent Against Plymouth. — After 
Pickett's failure at Newbern in February, 1864, no 
further attempt was made to drive the Federals 
from the State until April of the same year. Near 
the beginning of that month (jeneral R. F. Hoke 
was ordered to proceed, with his division, against 
the Federal works at Plymouth. Hoke had been 
with Pickett in the attack on Newbern and felt 
keenly the disappointment there. 

The Ram Albemarle. — To aid in the attack on 
Plymouth the Ram Albemarle was sent from Hali- 
fax with orders to co-operate with General Hoke 
and his forces. This formidable vessel of war was 
built at Edward's Ferry on Roanoke River near 
Scotland Neck, and was so strongly wrought with 
iron rails that no common ball of that day could 
pierce her hull. No vessel's beak could damage 
her. Being covered like the roof of a house with 
iron beams, no enemy could leap on board. The 
muzzles of the cannons projected from holes in 
the roof. She was a strong and dangerous looking 
craft. Captain James W. Cooke, with a crew of 
valiant Confederate seamen, was in command. 

Attack on Plymouth. — About the middc of April. 



Union and Disunion. 355 

1864, the Albemarle left ICdward's I'errv and 
steamed down the ri\er toward Plymouth. By 
previous arrangement, (General Hoke led his forces 
against the town at the same time. April 19th the 
advanced line of Hoke's command made an assault 
upon the enemy's outposts, and after a sharp con- 
flict dislodged the sharp-shooters, who retreated in 
haste to the town. During the night of the nine- 
teenth of April, (General Matt Ransom, in com- 
mand of a brigade in Hoke's cli\ision, proceeded 
under orders to the east of the Federal works and 
was in readiness to attack the enemy at dawn! 
Early next day the attack was made upon the 
Federal lines from three directions. l^he Albe- 
marle came down the Roanoke, turning round and 
round, firing a broadside at each turn, l^he Fed- 
eral gunboat "Southfield" was lying at the wharf, 
and began to fire upon the Albemarle, but without 
effect. The "Southfield" was struck a dozen times 
and was soon at the bottom of tlie ri\er. Without 
slacking speed the Albemarle began to fire on the 
Federal entrenchments along the ri\er and soon 
had them in a ruined condition. 

Ransom's Successful Assault. — Meanwhile (len- 
eral Ransom had been successful on the east, 
where the strongest defences were. At the head 
of his brigade he charged across an open field in 
the faec of a terrible fire of musketry. Fi\-e hun- 
dred Confederates fell in the charge. l)ut the sur- 
vivors reached the Federal works, leaped into the 
midst of the enemy and fought them hand to hand. 
The conflict was of short duration, for General 



356 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Wessells, the Federal officer in command, seeing 
further resistance hopeless, surrendered his entire 
force of 2,834 men and equipments to the victors. 
Besides the prisoners and munitions of war, a 
large number of runaway slaves were recaptured. 
The Confederate Congress passed a vote of thanks 
to General Hoke and Captain Cooke for this brill- 
iant victory. General Hoke was shortly afterward 
promoted to the rank of major-general. 

The Albemarle and the Federal Gunboats. — Soon 
after the capture of Plymouth, eight Federal gun- 
boats came into the Albemarle Sound and an- 
chored near the mouth of the Roanoke River, eight 
miles from Plymouth. Captain Cooke headed the 
Albemarle down the river to meet the new foe. 
As soon as the strange looking Confederate boat 
came in sight every Federal gun was turned upon 
her, but the balls glanced from the iron roof like 
peas. The Albemarle ran into the midst of the 
fleet, firing broadside after broadside with terrible 
effect. Several of the enemy's vessels next tried 
to ram the Albemarle, but their iron beaks could 
make no impression. Then they tried to clog the 
wheels of the Confederate boat, but failed each 
time. Finally all of the Federal boats gave up the 
fight and fled in a crippled condition. The Albe- 
marle went back to Plymouth in triumph. 

The Albemarle Blown Up.— Jn October, 1864, 
the Albemarle was blown up by the Federals. She 
was lying at anchor, at Plymouth, one stormy 
night when Lieutenant Gushing of the Federal 
navy in a small rowboat stealthily approached and 



Union and Disunion. 357 

i.'xplodcd a torpedo, immediately under the boat, 
blowing" a larg-e hole in the hull. The invincible 
roof-like boat sank to the bottom. Lieutenant 
Cushing, hovvexcr. fell into the hands of the Con- 
federates, and was held as a prisoner of war. 
Plymouth was held by the Confederates. 

MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Locate Phniouth; h^dward's Ferr\' ; .Scotland 

Neck. 

2. \Mio was sent against Plymouth in 1864? 

3. What aid did he get? 

4. When and how was the Albemarle built ^ 

5. Who was captain of the Albemarle? 

6. What w^as the success of the first attack on 

]iy mouth? 

7. Wdiat was (General Ransom ordered to do? 

8. Describe the attack of the Albemarle, 

9. Give an account of Ransom's attack on the 

east. 
10. What were the losses on each side? 
IL (iive an account of the na\ al battle at the 

mouth of the river. 

12. How was the Albemarle blown up? 

13. What became of Gushing? 



358 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LXITL 
THE WAR IN VIRGINIA. 

Grant's Invasion of the South. — In the spring of 
1864, another powerful Federal army under the 
eommand of Cieneral U. S. Grant was sent into 
Virginia. This was the last great invasion of the 
South by the Federals. Grant had under his com- 
mand more than one hundred thousand men, and 
it was expected throughout the North that he 
woukl end the war in three months. He began to 
advance upon Richmond, May 6th, but at every 
turn he found General Lee in his front. First at 
the Wilderness, wdiere the two armies fought 
fiercely for two days. Grant was beaten back with 
tremendous loss ; and after being forced backward 
for miles, he sent to President Lincoln his famous 
message, ''We shall fight it out on this line if ft 
takes all summer." For about thirty days there 
were almost daily conflicts, in which Grant lost 
almost as many men as Lee had at any time in his 
army. 

Federals Capture Earthworks at Spottsylvania. 
— On the morning of May 12, 1864, just before 
daylight. Grant made a desperate assault upon 
Lee's earthworks at Spottsyhania and captured 
the portion known as the "Bloody Angle" together 
with about seven thousand prisoners. Two re- 



Union and Disunion. 359 

doubts of Lee's lines were thus in the hands of 
the enemy and the whole Confederate position was 
endangered. In the desperate charge of the Con- 
federates in recapturing the works (ieneral Stephen 
D. Ramseur and his North Carolina brigade were 
conspicuous for gallantry, as were Colonel Bryan 
(irimes and his regiment. 

Ramseur's Charge. — ft fell to Ramseur's brigade 
to retake the redoubts, and as soon as possible 
after the order was received the command was 
drawn up in line of battle, (ieneral Ramseur ad- 
dressed his men, telling them that the works must 
be retaken, and that every man was expected to 
do his duty. With Ramseur leading, the whole 
line moved forward in a run. The Federals poured 
into them a destructive fire, and the men bee^an 
to waver. Putting si)urs to his horse, Ramseur 
galloped forward to the head of the column. 

"North Carolinians," said he, "if you are men, 
follow me to yonder breastwork." . 

On rushed the charging line up to the earth- 
works in the face of a murderous fire, climbed o\er 
the fortifications, and drove the Federals in con- 
fusion from the redoubt. 1dic work was just half 
done, however, for the other redoubt had to be 
retaken. 

The Second Redoubt Retaken. — For a brief time 
the brigade rested in the entrenchment, and were 
then ready for the next assault. Over the works 
the Carolinians tumbled and made a rush for the 
remaining position. 11ie Federals were readv and 
raked the achancing- columns with terrible effect. 



360 A Child's History of North Carolina- 

Not a man faltered though hundreds were shot 
down. The Federals held their ground until the 
Confederates came up so close that the reports of 
the musketry of both sides went up in one common 
roar, heaping over the parapets the North Caro- 
linians bayonetted the gunners, seized" their guns, 
and' drove them from their position. Thus the twd 
redoubts were retaken, though at fearful cost to 
Ramseur's brigade. The enemy tried to recapture 
the redoubts, but failed in every attempt. All day 
the fearful carnage continued. Late in the evening 
Grant drew back and began another flank move- 
ment toward Richmond. After the battle, General 
Lee thanked R.amseur for his gallant and success- 
ful charge, and promoted him to the rank of major- 
general. Colonel Bryan Grimes was also promoted 
to the rank of brigadier-general, as was also Colo- 
nel W. R. Cox. General Junius Daniel, a gallant 
anl lamented son of North Carolina, fell mortally 
wounded in this bloody battle. 

The Gatling Gun.— May 16, 1864, occurred the 
account of another brigade on their left giving way 
River, near Petersburg, Va., . in which General 
Beauregard attacked and defeated a Federal army 
under General Butler, "bottling" him up on the 
peninsula between the James and the Appomattox 
rivers. This battle is noteworthy from the fact 
that it was the first in which the famous Ciatling 
gun was used. Dr. Richard J. Gatling, the in- 
ventor of the gun, was reared in Hertford County 
but was living at that time in Lidiana. His inven- 
tion is a revolving- machine qun that will shoot 



Union and Disunion. 36i 

about twentl\e hundred times a minute, and is one 
of the most formidable weapons of war known to 
mankind. By this inxention, Dr. Gatling" beeame 
one of the most famous men ever reared in Xortli 
Carolina. 

Battle of Cold Harbor. — (irant continued to ad- 
vance toward Richmond by the left iiank. On 
June 3rd, he attacked Lee's lines at Cold Harbor 
and in thirty minutes he lost ten thousand men in 
useless assaults on the impreg"nable Confederate 
position. In this battle (leneral Thomas L. Cling"- 
man's North Carolina brigade suffered heavily on 
accoutn of another brigade on their left giving way 
before a Federal ad\ance and exposing their flank 
to a galling fire. Clingman forced his command to 
the left, as soon as he perceived the danger, and 
furiously assailed the enemy, dri\ ing the Federals 
in confusion from that part of the field. (irant 
ordered his men to make assault after assault 
upon Fee's lines, but failure marked every attempt. 
Finally the attacking line refused to obey orders 
and the slaughter ceased. (irant then advanced 
upon Petersl)urg, l)ut e\en then he found Lee 
ahead of him. (irant laid seige to the city and 
hammered at Lee's lines for nine months l)efore he 
broke them. 

Charge at Ream's Station.*— .About the middle of 
August, 18()4, the I-'ederals seized Ream's ."station 
on the Petersburg Railroad, thereby cutting Lee's 
communication with the South. It was, therefore, 
a dangerous condition, and, u.iloss the post was 
retaken, it nn^ant tl'.e isolation and capture of 



362 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Lee's army. To recapture the position, four North 
Carolina hrigades, Cooke's, McRae's, Lane's, and 
Scales,', numhering- seventeen hundred and fifty 
men, were ordered forward. Whh dauntless cour- 
age these brigades, unaided, assaulted the enemy's 
works, carried them at the point of the bayonet 
and captured 2,200 prisoners besides thirteen pieces 
of artillery. I^his brilliant act of heroism received 
warm words of praise from (ien(M"al Lee, 



QUESTIONS. 

1. Where were 1)attles fought between Lee and 

Grant? 

2. Where and how was Lee's position endan» 

gered ? 

2. What were (ieneral (Irant's losses.^ 

3. Where and how was Lee's position endan- 

5. Tell how Ramseur retook the redoubts. 

6. What did Grant next do? What honors came 

to Ramseur, Grimes and Cox? 

7. What gallant North Carolina general was 

killed? 

8. What took place at Bermuda Hundred? What 

is the Catling gun? 

9. Relate General Clingman's exploit at Cold 

Harbor. 

10. \Adiy did the i)attle cease at Cold Harbor? 

11. Why did Grant fail at Petersburg? 

12. Relate the exploit at Reams' Station. What 

is said of it .^ 



Union and Disunion. 36^ 



CHAPTER LXIV. 
FALL OF WILMINGTON. 

Butler Sent Against Fort Fisher. — Late in tht- 
fall of 1864 a strong- PVdcral fleet, carrying a largd 
land force, was sent against I^'ort Fisher. Admiral 
Porter was in command of the fleet. General B. 
F. Butler led the land forces. The Confederates 
in the fort, numbering about 2,000 men, were under 
the immediate command of Colonel William Lamb 
and (ieneral W. H. C. Whiting, who at this par- 
ticular time was serving- as a volunteer without 
rank. Besides Fort Fisher, there were other Con- 
federate strongholds on the Cape Fear, and Wil- 
mington, thirty miles u]) the river, was garrisoned 
by a small command under Ck'neral Braxton 
Bragg. 

Christmas Guns. — On the night of December 
23r(l the Federal fleet came to anchor just out of 
fange of the guns of Fort Fisher. Late in the 
night the Federals loaded up an old ship with 215 
tons of cannon powder and sent it in to be ex- 
ploded near the fort ; but before it came within 
half a mile of Von l^'sher there was a terrific 
explosion and the old ship sank to the bottom. 
No damage whate\er was done to the fort. iVext 
morning, however, the whole Federal fleet came 
in range of the fort and o])encd upon the Con- 



364 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

federate works with five hundred iron throat^i. 
All day the giant struggle went on, the Federal 
g-uns pouring a torrent of lead and iron upon the 
devoted fort and tlie heroic garrison replying with 
spirit and execution. It was one of the greatest 
bombardments in the World'^; history. At night 
the Federals drew oif, and Colonel Lamb repaired 
the damages, expecting the fleet to return next 
day. Early Christmas morning the Federals re- 
newed the attack and kept it up all day and far 
into the night. The Confederates used the famous 
Armstrong gun and did great damage to the 
enemy's vessels. Next day the battle continued. 
The Federals landed an attacking force, but the 
garrison poured into them such a destructixe fire 
that they hastily retreated to the protection of 
the ships. During the night of December 26th 
the fieet sailed away leaving the heroic little gar- 
rison masters of the situation. 

The Enemy Return to the Attack. — In about 
two wrecks' time, the I'ederals, in larger numbers 
than before, returned sax'agely to the attack. But- 
ler had been removed from the command and 
General 1 erry had been apointed to succeed him. 
Tn the meantime, . (ieneral Bragg had withdrawn 
some of the troops from Fort Fisher and had left 
that important post weakened. As soon as the 
hVderal lleet hoxe in sight. Colonel Fand) hestily 
sent to \Vilminj.'lon for reinforcements, but none 
could be sent, as a large force of the en'Muy had 
been landed beh^/een Wilmington and the fort, 
cultinLi" oM .'dl hone of assistance. 



Union and Disunion. 365 

Fall of Fort Fisher. — Ha\ing effected a landing 
the Federals began the attack upon the doomed 
fort by sea and hind. Hie few Confederates, thus 
cut off from all chance of escape, or succor, fought 
stubbornly for two days and finally surrendered 
to overwhelming numbers. Idle garrison lost 
about 500 men in killed and wounded and 20<S3 
prisoners, d'lie b^ederal loss was over 1500 in 
killed and uounded. (leneral Whiting was mor- 
tallv wounded. Colonel Lamb was also wounded 
and fell into the hands of the enemy. 

Capture of Wilmington. — After the fall of Fort 
h^isher. the I'Cderals began their advance upon 
\\'ilmingt(^n. The Confederate forts on the ri\er 
fell into their hands one after the other until there 
was nothing to hinder the march of the enemy, 
(ieneral Hoke, who with his division was at Sugar 
Loaf, was compelled to fall back l>efore oxer- 
whelming numbers. (li\ ing up Wilmington the 
Confederates retreated toward Coldsboro. With 
the fall of Wilmington the Federal control of 
Southern ])orts was now complete. Communi- 
cation with the outside world was entire!}- cut 
off, and despondancy l)egan to settle upon the 
South. 



366 A Child's History of North CaroHna. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What Federal force was sent against Fort 

Fisher? 

2. Who were in command at Fort Fisher and 

3. Relate the particulars about Butler's Christ- 

mas gun. 

4. AVhat happened on Christmas eve? 

5. What was done on Christmas day? 

6. When did the Federals return to the attack? 

7. Who was now in command of the Federals? 

8. How had the fort been weakened? 

9. Why could not reinforcements be sent? 

10. Relate particulars of the capture of the fort. 

11. AVhat was the losses in the battle.'' 

12. Why did the Confederate surrender? 

13. What was General Hoke compelled to do? 

14. Why did the South begin to despair? 



Union and Disunion. 367 



CHAPTER LXV. 
SHERMAN INVADES THE STATE. 

Hoke Retires to Goldsboro. — Following the cap- 
ture of Wilmington, the scattered Confederates 
retreated toward Goldsboro. Leaving a garrison 
in the captured city, the Federals hastened in 
close pursuit. General Hoke, who was in com- 
mand of the Confederates, turned upon his pur- 
suers at Kinston and repulsed them. He then 
continued his retreat to Goldsboro, where he 
awaited orders. 

Large Federal Force Enter the State. — All hope 
of driving the I''ederals from the State now seemed 
vain ; for they had come into the eastern section 
in overwhelming- numl)ers, and there was no 
Confederate force able to stand before them. Be- 
sides, (General \\\ T. Sherman was at the time 
on his way from South Carolina with nearly a 
hundred thousand men, marching northward to 
join Grant in his final assault on Lee's lines 
around Richmond and Petersburg. Sherman had 
already over-run Georgia and South Carolina, 
burned much of the city of Columbia, and laid 
waste a broad strip of countr>' through which he 
h.'id marched. 

Confederate Forces. — To oppose these over- 
whelming;- numbers, the Confederates had only one 



368 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

dix'ision under Moke at (joldsboro. North Caro- 
lina ha4 already sent to V^irginia and other States 
more than a hundred thousand men, and now in 
her hour of sorest need there was only a handful 
of brave defenders to withstand this mighty invas- 
ion. But help came from other States. General 
Hardie hurried from Charleston, S. C, with a few 
thousand men ; General Chatham brought a small 
force from Tennessee; General Wade Hampton 
led a division of cavalry from Virginia ; and Gen- 
eral Joseph Wheeler another from Alabama. 
These bodies of troops united made an army of 
20,000 men, which, being joined by the division 
under (ieneral Hoke, was ready to take the field 
against Sherman. General Joseph E. Johnston, 
of V^irginia, who had beaten Sherman in several 
battles the year previous near Atlanta, was put in 
command of the whole. 

Hampton at Fayetteville. — General Sherman, at 
the head of his army, came into North Carolina 
about the middle of March, 1865. When his van- 
guard reached Fayetteville, his cavalry came upon 
the Confederate troopers and a sharp conflict took 
])lace. General Hampton, the Confederate cav- 
alry leader, was eating dinner at a hotel- in Fay- 
etteville when the Federal horsemen came gallop- 
ing into town. Cietting up from the table without 
ceremony, Hampton rushed out and, putting him- 
self at the head of a portion of his division, led a 
sweeping charge, met the enemy hand to hand in 
the street, struck down two of them with his own 
hand, and drove the command in confusion from 



Union and Disunion. 369 

the town. Seeing, however, that he eouhl not 
hold his position against the whole Federal army, 
he retired to Bentonville, Johnston County. The 
Federals entered Fayetteville, burnt the printing 
plant of the Fayetteville Observer, the Confeder- 
ate arsenal, along with other property and followed 
Hampton toward Bentonville. 

Confederates Make a Stand at Bentonville. — At 
Averasboro Cieneral Hardie withstood for a time 
the attacks of a part of Sherman's army, but as 
his force was too small to resist the troops sent 
against him, he, too, retired toward Benton\ille, 
where General Johnston had collected 15,000 men 
and awaited the approach of Sherman. 

Battle of Bentonville. — As soon as he came near 
Benton\ine, Sherman ordered an attack upon the 
Confederate works. The Confederates waited im- 
til the enemy were in good range and fired into 
their faces. The Federals fled in dismay, but ad- 
vanced again to the charge only to recei\'e the 
same kind of welcome from Hake and his North 
Carolinians. Six times the enemy charged the 
Confederate lines, but each time the merciless fire 
'of Johnston's troops sent them flying from the 
field. At this point Johnston ordered a bayonet 
charge. (ieneral D. H. Hill led the advance, 
stormed three successive breastworks, and at the 
point of the bayonet drove the enemy before him. 
Sherman, however, recovered himself and ordered 
another advance along his whole line, and John- 
ston retreated. I'his battle occurred JNlarch 19, 
1865, and was one of the most brilliant conflicts 



370 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

of the war. The loss was heavy on both sides, 
but the Federal loss in killed, wounded, and pris- 
oners was far in excess of the Confederates. 
After the battle, Sherman retired to Goldsboro 
where he was joined by heavy reinforcements. 
Johnston retreated toward Raleigh. 



MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Kinston? Averasboro? Benton- 

ville? Goldsboro? 

2. What did General Hoke do after the fall of 

Wilmington? 

3. What large Federal forces were coming into 

the State? 

4. What had Sherman already done? 

5. What force had North Carolina to oppose 

these ? 

6. Mention the help that came from other 

States? 

7. Who was put in command of the army thus 

collected? 

8. Give particulars of the affair at Fayetteville, 

9. Where did the Confederates make a stand? 

10. How many men had Johnston? 

11. How many times did Sherman attack John- 

ston at Bentonville? 

12. Who led the Confederate counter charge? 

13. What success did Hill meet with? 

14. Where did the two armies go after the bat- 

tle? 



Union and Disunion. 371 



CHAPTER LXVI. 
LAST AT APPOMATTOX. 

The Armies Around Petersburg. — All during 
the fall and winter of 1864-65, the two armies 
faeed eaeh other in the trenches around Peters- 
burg, Va. I^ee's army had been reduced by bat- 
tle and disease to less than 30,000 eft'ectixe men, 
but was compelled to guard a line of defenses 
that included both Richmond and Petersburg, 
(irant, on the other hand, could muster 200,000 
men, and thousands of others were standing ready 
to take the places of those that were killed. It 
was becoming evident that Lee would sooner or 
later be conijxdled to yield to su])erior numbers 

Fort Steadman. — Throughout the dreary fall and 
far intc^ the winter, Grant continually drew his 
lines closer around Petersburg. Lee, with his 
dwindling army, contested e\er\' foot of the 
ground. About the middle of March, the two 
hostile lines, in some places, were not more than 
one hundred yards apart. Near the beginning of 
that month (irant seized and fortified Hare's Hill, 
a strong position about one hundred and fifty 
yards from that portion of Lee's lines that was 
under command of Major-general l-iryan (irimes. 
From this fortified camp, called I'^ort Steadman. 
the Federals boml)arded Petersl)ur^, and raked 



372 A Child's History of North Carolina, 

with shot and shell Lee's whole position on that 
side of the city. It was a time of extreme danger 
to -the Confederate cause. 

Capture and Recapture of Fort Steadman. — Lee 
determined to silence that stronghold of the 
enemy. Accordingly he ordered General Grimes 
to seize and destroy the works. For that task, 
Grimes assigned Brigadier-general Matt Ransom 
and Brigadier-general \Y. G. Lewis with their 
brigades of veteran North Carolinians. Ransom 
and Lewis had their lines in readiness early on the 
morning of March 25th. A storming party was 
sent ahead with axes to cut away the enemy's 
stockades and open up the way. In the darkness 
of the earl}^ morning, they approached the enemy's 
sentinels and disarmed them before they could 
give the alarm. The walls of the fort were cut 
away and the way opened by the time the attack- 
ing party arrived. Rushing over the broken 
walls the brave Carolinians took the enemy com- 
pletely by surprise,, killing and wounding a large 
number in the confusion and flight, and driving 
the survivors away in terror. Ransom held the 
fort a few hours, but later he was attacked by an 
overwhelming force and driven out after a stub- 
born resistance. 

Lee's Lines Pierced.- — On April 1st, Grant made 
a most determined assault upon Lee's lines, and 
broke through in several places. For a time there 
was extreme danger that the entire Confederate 
army would be captured within the fortifications 
at Petersburg. Just as the Federals broke through 



Union and Disunion. 373 

Ihc line, however, General Bryan Grimes with his 
division of North Carolinians rushed to the rescue, 
resisted every advance, and at leng-th drove them 
Inack beyond the entrenchments. The result of 
this assault showed Lee that his lines could no 
longer be held. He, therefore, made preparation 
for an immediate retreat. 

Retreat From Petersburg. — Lee began his re- 
treat on the morning- of April 2nd. intending to 
break away from his perilous position at Peters- 
burg and join General Johnston in North Caro- 
lina. Before l)eginning the retreat Lee wired 
Johnston to move toward Greensboro, gathering 
all the reinforcements possible, and be ready to 
unite the two forces near Danville, Va. The Fed- 
erals took possession of Richmond and Perersburg 
without resistance, and then followed Lee in rapid 
pursuit. On the retreat Cirimes' division was 
placed in the rear, a post of danger as well as 
of honor. Once during the retreat the Federals 
pressed hard ui)on the rear guard of the Confed- 
erates. Grimes, perceiving it, turned upon them 
v.ith the l)avonet and i)ursued them a mile, kilbn"- 
an.d wounding a large numl)er. General Lee rodt 
back to meet (irimes as he returned from the pur- 
suit and thanked him for his gallantrv. As the 
veteran Tar fleels ])asse(l by, General Lee raised 
his hat and said, "(iod ])]ess North Carobna." 

The Retreat Cut Off. — On the morning of April 
■)th, it was k'arned that a large body of the enemy 
had gotten in front of Lee's army, and had cut 
•ofl the retreat. In the cniergenc\- Grimes' divis- 



374 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

ion was withdrawn from the rear and sent to the' 
front to clear a way. Never did soldiers show 
more heroism. With the bayonet they charged a 
Federal force several times gerater in numbers 
and routed them. With the enemy fleeing before 
him, Grimes halted and sent back word that the 
w^ay was open. While waiting he received orders 
to rejoin the main army. At first he refused to 
do so, and sent word that he could hold his posi- 
tion against any odds. In a short time he re- 
ceived another order, this time from General Lee 
himself, to retire at once. In obedience to that 
command, Grimes and his men fell back with 
regret. 

The Last Charge. — As the Confederates fell 
back, a Federal command rushed out of the woods 
arfd began to fire upon them. Grimes ordered 
General William R. Cox with his brigade of 
North Carolinians to drive them back and to cover 
the retreat. Cox charged with the bayonet and 
cleared the field. The division then retreated in 
safety and rejoined the main body. Cox's charge 
was the last made, for when the division rejoined 
the main army, it became known that Lee had 
surrendered, and the long and bloody war wa^ 
drawing to a close. 



Union and Disunion. 375 



QUESTIONS. 

1. What was the strength of Lee's army in the 
winter of 1864-65? 

2. How far apart were the armies in Alareh? 

3. What plaee did Grant capture? 

4. \\4iat did Lee resolve to do? 

5: Who was selected to do this? \A^hat did the 
storming party do? 

6. Tell about the capture and recapture of Fort 

Steadman. 

7. , \\4iat happened when Lee's lines were 

broken ? 

8. What was Lee's intention? 

9. Relate an incident of the retreat. 

10. How was the retreat cut off? 

11. Relate particulars of Grimes' charge. Give 

particulars of the last charge. 

12. What troops were last to cease fighting at 

Appomattox? 



376 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LXVn. 
END OF THE WAR. 

Johnston's Retreat Tov/ard Greensboro.^ — After 
the battle of Bentonville there were no operations 
of any eonsequence for several days. Sherman's 
army rested at Goldsboro, and Johnston got be- 
tween him and Raleigh, ready to oppose any 
movement toward that city. The Confederates, 
however, were too weak to risk another battle, 
but Sherman had been heavily reinforced about 
the last of March. Near the first of April, while 
he was watching Sherman, Johnston received 
orders from General Lee to hasten wdth his army 
to Danville, Va., where a Junction of the two 
Confederate armies was expected to be made. 
Tn obedience to that command, he put his army 
in motion at once, and marched toward Greens- 
boro, passing Raleigh and leaving it to the mercy 
of Sherman and his men. 

An Embassy to Sherman.— As Raleigh was not 
fortified and had no defenders, (governor Vance 
thought it best to surrender the city v^dthout re- 
sistance, and ask the clemency of the conqueror. 
He, 'therefore, appointed as special commissioners 
to treat with Sherman Ex-governors Swain and 
Graham. Idic}' left Raleigh on a special train 
and met Sherman in lohnston Countv- As the 



Union and Disunion. 377 

train approached the Federal lines, Governor 
Swain displayed a Hag" of truce. 1'he Federal 
soldiers, however, disregarded the signal, and 
fired u])()n the train. Swain and (iraham quickly 
surrendered and were taken as prisoners of war 
to the headquarters of General Sherman, where 
they were receiA'ed kindly, but detained as pris- 
oners until next day. 

Governor Vance Escapes from Raleigh. — Mean- 
while Governor Vance heard how the Federals 
captured the train bearing the peace commission- 
ers, and, supposing that Sherman was going to 
be as heartless in North Carolina as he had been 
in South Carolina and (Georgia, left Raleigh and 
joined Johnston's army then near Durham. Most 
of the State officials followed the governor'^ ex- 
ample and left the capital to its fate. 

Incident in the City of Raleigh. — As the Federal 
caxalry under Kil pat rick marched into the city, 
the few Confederate soldiers there marched out. 
One daring soldier, lieutenant Walsh, of Texas, 
stopped in front of the State- Mousr;^. and waited 
iinlil the Federal vanguard came within a short 
distance of him, then firing several times upon the 
ad\-ancing Federals he turned to t1ee. His horse 
fell as he turned, throwing the daring rider to 
the ground. lU'fore he could regain his feet, the 
Federals were npcm him. He was taken before 
Cieneral Kilpatrick. who ordered him hanged. 
The r>r(^er was (|uickly obeved and the body of the 
reckless Cimfederate was soon dangling from a 
lind:). 



S78 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

News of Lee's Surrender. — As the Confederate 
army was marching toward Greensboro, the first 
news of Lee's surrender at Appomattox was re- 
ceived. At first Johnston did not believe it, but 
when he began to meet soldiers from Lee's army 
going home he could no longer doubt it. He 
pushed on to Greensboro, however, and there 
met President Davis and his cabinet, who had 
fled from Richmond. A conference of his leaders 
was held, and it was decided to surrender all the 
armies of the Confederacy and end the war. 

Surrender of Johnstbn. — In accordance with that 
decision a message was sent to General Sherman, 
proposing peace. Sherman invited Johnston to 
meet him to settle upon terms. The two met near 
Durham^ April 18th, and agreed upon conditions 
of peace. President Johnson, who had succeeded 
Lincoln, upon the assassination of the latter, did 
not approve the terms, and another meeting be- 
tween Johnston and Sherman was held on April 
24th and final conditions of surrender were signed, 
whereby all Confederate soldiers then in arms were 
paroled for the remainder of the war. The de- 
feated army laid down their arms and returned to 
their homes. Thus the great civil struggle was 
nearing an end after four years of constant war- 
fare. The sons of Dixie, who had beaten the Fed- 
erals on so manv battlefields, were compelled to 
yield to superior numbers. They gave up the fight 
with reluctance and parted with one another with 
sorrow. One soldier, who no doubt represented 
the feelings of a large number of his compatriots. 



Union and Disunion. 37^ 

said, "We'll go home, make three crops, and try 
the Yankees again." The feeling was universal 
that they were not conciuered, but overwhelmed. 

Last Battle of the War.--For some months, an 
irregular warfare was being waged in Western 
North Carolina between the forces of Colonel Kirk, 
a renegade Confederate who had deserted to the 
Federals, with a few regiments of Federal soldiers 
and some Southern soldiers who had been sent to 
resist his advance toward the Piedmont section. 
Colonel J. R. Love was in command of the Con- 
federate forces in Haywood County, and on May 
8, 1865, he attacked and defeated a regiment of 
Federals at \\^aynesville. On May 10th, however, 
terms of peace were signed, by which the Federals 
were to leave that part of the State and the Con- 
federate forces were to be disbanded, lliis closed 
hostilities in North Carolina, and the war had come 
to an end. 

Feeling in the State. — Tn a few weeks the news 
of the surrender of Lee and Johnston went into 
every section of the State. In the remote moun- 
tain regions, however, where railroads and tele- 
graph lines had not yet gone, the news was not 
received until a month later, and then was hardly 
believed. Ihe first bearers of the news in Macon 
County were put in jail and held as spies or de- 
serters, but were released shortly afterward when 
others came. throughout the State there was a 
feeling of mingled satlness and joy. Patriotic 
North Carolinians were grieved that the cause of 
the C\infederac\' had gone down in defeat, but 



380 A Child's History of North CaroHna. 

there was a distinct feeling of relief that the strug- 
gle was over. 

Losses in the War. — North Carolina had suf- 
fered terribly. The State had sent more than 120,- 
000 men to the battlefield, and of these more than 
40,000 had been killed or wounded. Many of the 
survivors had come home broken in health and 
died in a few years. Millions of dollars worth of 
property had been destroyed, and thousands of 
men, who had been well-to-do, w^ere reduced to 
poverty. In battle, two Major-Cienerals, six Brig- 
adier-Generals, thirty-four ColoneJs, and hundreds 
of other officers were killed. The financial condi- 
tion of the State was deplorable, and famine was 
everywhere. North Carolina was prostrate at the 
feet of the conquerors. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. What orders did Johnston receive about the 

first of April? 

2. Relate the story of the mission of the i)eace 

commissioners. 

3. What did (lovernor Vance do? 

4. Relate the story of Lieutenant Walsh. 

5. What news reached Johnston on his way to 

Greensboro? 
C). What did the conference of leaders at (ireens- 

boro decide? 
7. Where did the surrender of Johnston take 

place? 



Union and Disunion. 381 

8. \\ hy wcTc there two meetings between John- 

ston and Sherman? 

9. Why did Johnston surrender? 
10. What did one soldier say? 

U. \\'hat was the feeHng ahout the surrender? 

12. Where was the last battle in North Carolina? 

13. Tell something of the losses. 

14. How^ many men did the State send to the war? 



382 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



GENERAL REVIEW 
THE UNION AND 

Answer the followin 
the names gi\'en. 
Joel Lane 
Benjamin Hawkins 
James Glasgow 
William McRae 
Otway Burns 
Archibald Murphy 
E. B. Dudley . 
Robert Morrison 
Louis Wilson 
Calvin Graves 
Talvin Wiley 
Zebulon B. Vance 
William Martin 
William Lamb 
T. J. Pettigrew 
Matt Ransom 
John Wood 
Stephen Ramseur 
William R. Cox 
Hugh Williamson 
Philip Terrell 
Junaluska 
Andrew Jackson 
Bartlett Yancv 
Vonaguska 
Samuel Wait 
t^raxton Bragg 

Thomas 



OF THE PERIOD OF 

DISUNION-—1789-1865. 
g questions with each of 
Who? What? 

Dorothea Dix 

Elisha Mitchell 

Henry Wyatt 

H. M. Shaw 

Duncan McRae 

Thos. M. Crossen 

Bryan Grimes 

Robert F. Hoke 

Richard Gatling 

Lieutenant Walsh 

HInton James 

John Steele 

John Reed 

Johnson Blakely 

Leonard Henderson 

Nathaniel Macon 

W. H. Thomas 

Robert Paine 

Santa Anna 

James Dobbin 

'Big Tom" Wilson 

Charles Fisher 

L. O'B. Branch 

William D. Pender 

Marble Nash Taylor 

J. G. Martin 

Captain Cooke 
L. Clingman 



Union and Disunion. 



383 



1\'ll where each of the following places is and 
what was done there. 



Meadow Creek 

Buena Vista 

Bethel 

Fort Macon 

Williamsburg 

White Hall 

Chancellorsville 

Harrisburg 

Shepherdsville 

Cold Harbor 

Fayetteville 

Petersburg 

Chapel Hill 

Gold Hill 

Mount Mitchell 

Manassas 

Federal Point 

Seven Pines 

Goldsboro 



Hill's Bridge 
Gettysburg 
Edward's Ferry 
Ream's Station 
Bentonville 
Appomattox 
Durham 
Vera Cruz 
Fort Sumter 
Fort Hatteras 
Fort Fisher 
Antietam 
Plymouth 
Boone's Mill 
Cemetery Ridge 
Spottsylvania 
Kinston 
Fort Steadman 
Raleigh 
Greensboro 



PERIOD OF RECONSTRUCTION AND 

GROWTH~-1865-1916 

CllAPlin^ LXVIll. 
COMING OF THE CARPET-BAGGER 

The State Made a Military District. — Immedi- 
ately following- the surrender of Johnston, the 
vState was in chaotic condition. (Governor Vance 
had been made prisoner and was being held in 
Washington City. The other State officers were 
either prisoners or had tied from the capital. There 
was no government and no go\ernor. President 
Johnson, however, early in June, 1(S65, by procla- 
mation, formed the State into a military district 
and appointed (leneral lolm M . Schofield governor. 
President Johnson was a native of Raleigh, but 
was a strong union man, and it was thought that 
he would be bitter toward the defeated South. 

Holden Appointed Governor. — In a few weeks 
General Schofield was relieved of his duties as 
military governor, and A\'illiam \\\ Holden, of 
Raleigh, was appointed to succeed him. Before 
the war Mr. Holden was a strong secessionist, and. 
in his ])aper, "Hie Sentinel," had taken strong 
grounds for Soutlicrn Independence. During the 
progress of the struggle, however, he became an 
advocate of peace at any price, and near the close 



386 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

of the conflict took sides openly with the Union 
cause. He was now rewarded by the Federal 
government for his change of heart. 

The Carpet-Baggers. — Soon after the close of the 
war, niany northern men came to North Carolina 
to li\'e. They were called "Carpet-Baggers," be- 
cause, as it was said, they carried all they had 
about with them, and had no intention of becoming 
permanent residents. Some of them were Federal 
soldiers who remained in North Carolina after the 
close of hostilities, while others came from the 
North at a later date. For the most part, they 
w-ere men who had failed in business, and were 
in search of means to repair their exhausted for- 
tunes. Others were mere adventurers, who cared 
nothing for the people among whom they lived. 
A few, however, were good men, and came for the 
purpose of making homes here and assisting in the 
The Scallawags. — With the help of the negroes, 
who were gi\en the right of franchise in 1868, the 
carpet-baggers got control of affairs in North Caro- 
lina, and governed the State for several years. 
Some native white men united with them, also, and 
shared in the conduct of aft'airs of government. 
Among them were those who had been "buft'aloes" 
during the war, or had united with the recent 
slaves for the sake of office. They were called 
"Scallawags," and were heartily despised by the 
best people of the State. The respectable element 
of the Republican party did not affiliate either with 
the carpet-baggers or the scallawags. 

The Freedman's Bureau. — The Freedrnan's Bu- 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 387 

Tcau, a benevolent institution, was established soon 
after the elose of the war for the purpose of dis- 
tributing food and clothing to the recently eman- 
cipated slaves until they could secure work. It 
was a useful institution, but many of the agents 
were unprincipled men, who encouraged, the ne- 
groes in their idleness and instigated them against 
their former owners. The deluded blacks were 
encouraged by these men to expect social equality 
with the white people. 1'hey were also told that 
as soon as other matters could be adjusted, each 
negro would receive forty acres of land and a mule 
to begin wTth in making their fortunes. 

Downfall of Governor Holden. — Ciovernor Hol- 
den was at the head of affairs about six months. 
By order of President Johnson, who was born and 
reared in North Carolina, a State convention was 
called in the fall of 1(S6.S to repeal the ordinance of 
secession, to repudiate the war debt, and to abolish 
sla\'ery. Two of these had already been settled b\' 
the result of the war; but the convention met and 
did as the President had directed. The acts of the 
convention were then sul^mitted to the people for 
ratification. The election was held in Xo\'cmber. 
and, to the surprise of almost everyl:)od\', the con- 
vention articles were voted down and Jonathan 
Worth, of Randolph County, vvas elected (iovernor 
oxer Holden, who was also a candidate. 

Effect of the Election. — The result of the elec- 
tion in North Carolina was irritating to some of 
the Republican politicians in control at W^ashing- 
ton City. The "unrepentant rebels" became a 



388 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

favorite expression north of the Mason and Dixon 
line. The bloody shirt wavers of the North de- 
clared that the people of North Carolina were still 
in rebellion. Carpet-baggers and scallawags, too 
joined in the cry and tried to make it appear that 
the war had not ended, and that the Southern 
people were waiting only for a g^ood opportunity to 
renew the conflict. 

The Reconstruction Act. — Jonathan Worth was 
inaugurated January 1, 1866, and reniained in office 
about eighteen months. In March, 1867, the Con- 
gress of the United States, composed of Northern 
men, for the South was not allowed to send repre- 
sentatives, passed what is called the Reconstruc- 
tion Act, by which all civil government in the 
South was abolished and dividing the former Con- 
federate vStates into military districts. Under this 
Act, Governor Worth was removed from office, 
and North Carolina was united with South Caro- 
lina as a military district with General Daniel E. 
vSickles, of New York, as military governor. About 
the same time. Congress passed the Fourteenth 
Amendment to the Constitution of the United 
States, by which the right of suffrage was given 
to the negro men of the South. On account of 
participation in the war the right of suffrage was 
taken from about twenty thousand white men in 
the State. 

The Canby Constitution. — In the summer of 1867 
(jcneral E. R. S. Canby succeeded Sickles as mili- 
tary governor. In October of the same year an 
election for State officers and a constitutional con- 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 389 

vcntion was held, and after the election all the 
ballot boxes, containing the votes, were packed in 
box cars and sent to Charleston, S. C., to be 
coumed. After some delay. General Canby made 
the announcement that William W. Holden had 
again been elected governor, and that the call for 
the constitutional convention had been carried. 
Thus the State government passed into the control 
of the radical element of the population. Early in 
January, 1868, the Convention met. It was com- 
posed of carpet-baggers, scallawags, a few con- 
servative Republicans and Democrats, and some 
negroes. After being in session some weeks, a 
Constitution was framed and submitted to the 
people in April, and ratified by a big majoritv. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. Who were the Car])et-Baggers? Idie .Scalla- 

wags ? 

2. Tell how General Schoheld became governor? 

3. How and when did William W. 11 olden be- 

come governor? 

4. Why was there trouble with the negroes? 

5. Tell how Holden was removed from office. 

6. What effect in the Xorth had the election of 

( ioxernor W orth ? 

7. What Acts were passed by Congress? 

8. 1\'ll how General Canby held an election. 

9. Wlio was elected? 

10. What did the Con\'ention do? 



390 A Child's History of North CaroUna. 



CHAPTER LXIX. 
THE KU-KLUX KLAN. 

Origin of the Ku-Klux. — In 1867, there sprang 
Lip in North Carolina a secret, oath-bound organi- 
sation known as the Ku-Klux Klan, which had its 
origin in Tennessee about the close of 1866. Its 
growth was remarkable, and, in a year, it had 
spread throughout the South with a membership, 
it is said, of more than five hundred thousand. 

The Loyal League. — Fhe purpose of the Ku- 
Klux Klan was to oppose the workings of another 
secret order known as the Loyal League, which 
was organized in the South during the Civil War 
by partisans of the Federal government. After the 
war membership in the league was opened to 
negroes, and the native white men promptly left 
the order. The control of affairs in the league 
was, therefore, in the -hands of negroes and their 
white allies from the North. The original purpose 
of the organization was lost sight of, and it was 
generally believed that the ignorant negroes were 
encouraged to commit acts of violence and thievery 
against the native white people. It is certain that 
theft, robbery, and arson very much increased dur- 
ing this time. Besides, many negroes in the large 
counties in what v.^ere known as the ''black belt" 
became insolent to their late owners, and boasted 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 391 

that the "bottom rail" had gotten on top. .Thou- 
sands of them were idle and impudent, expecting 
the time to come when they would seize from the 
white people the allowance of forty acres of land 
and a mule that had been promised them by de- 
signing white men of the Loyal 1-eague and the 
Freedman's 1 bureau. 

Operations of the Ku-Klux. — To protect their 
homes and property from the idle and vicious, the 
Ku-Klux began to terrorize the negroes. Some- 
times certain members of the Klan disguised 
themselves and went to the homes of the worst 
negroes and frightened tliem by doing strange and 
mysterious things. Soon the imaginations of the 
former slaxes produced some wonderful tales of the 
powers of the Ku-Klux. One negro declared that 
a Ku-Klux came to his house one night, went to 
the well, drank seven bucketfuls of water, and 
called for supper. Not getting the supper pre- 
pared quickly enough to suit his Ku-Kluxship, he 
"took his head oft his shoulders and threw it against 
the door, creating consternation among members of 
the family. Another said that a seven-eyed Ku- 
Klux came to his house, plucked out his seven 
'eyes, and threw them at the door. Other stories 
equally fearful and ludicrous were told. Negroes 
therefore, stayed -at home more closel\- at night 
and crime decreased. 

The Ku-Klux and the Carpet-Baggers.— After 
the Ku-Klux had gotten the negroes somewhat 
under control by this method of terrorism, they 
turned their attention to the carpet-baggers 



392 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Anonymous letters pictured with skull and cross- 
bones were sent to the worst of these allies of the 
Worst negroes, telling them to leave the country 
immediately or worse things would follow. In 
some instances, carpet-baggers and scallawags were 
seized in the darkness of the night and whipped 
with rods. A scallawag by the name of Outlaw 
was hanged in Alamance County one night, sup- 
posedly by the Ku-Klux. 

Murder of Stephens. — In Yanceyville, Caswell 
County, there lived a noted scallawag by the name 
of John VV. Stephens, senator from that county in 
the General Assembly. He was hated by the na- 
tive white people, because they believed him re- 
sponsible for much of the bad feeling that existed 
between the negroes and the white people. One 
day, in 1870, during recess of court that was in 
session at Yanceyville, Stephens was murdered in 
an unoccupied room of the courthouse. It was 
done at midday while hundreds of people were in 
the building and yard, and yet it was never known 
who did it. The Ku-Klux were accused of it, but 
no testimony could ever be secured to convict any- 
one. The news of the murder produced a sensation 
in the State. 

Alamance and Caswell Under Military Rule.— - 
Upon the announcement of the murder of Stephens 
Governor Holdcn issued a proclamation declaring 
the people of Alamance and Caswell counties to 
be in a state of rebellion, and placed the two 
counties under military rule. 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 393 



MAP STUDIES AND QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is Vance\viile? Caswell Count}.'' 

2. (ii\e the ori^^in and growth of the i\u-Klux 

Klan. 

3. What was the objeet of the order? 

4. What was the Loyal League? Its objeet? 

5. What were many negroes guilty of? 

6. Wh}- were the negroes lawless? 

7. How did the Ku-Klux Klan break up crime? 
(S. Relate some of the stories that were told of 

the Ku-Klux. 
9. How did the J\u Klux frighten the carpet- 
baggers? 

10. 1\']] how Stephens was murdered. 

IL Who did it? 

12. dell how (iovernor Holden acted. 



304 A Child's History of Nforth Caroling. 



CHAPTER LXX. 
THE KIRK WAR. 

Holden's "Standing Army."— Early in 1870, th^ 
General Assembly, made up largely at that time 
bf carpet-baggers, scallawags, and negroes, passed 
an act authorizing the governor to organize a 
standing army, consisting of six regiments of in^ 
lantry, three battalions of cavalry, arid one battery 
of artillery. This warlike measure was introduced 
and passed at the suggestion of Governor Hold^n 
who declared that portions of the State were in 
rebellion against his authority and needed to be 
suppressed. Governor Holden called for volun- 
teers, and soon men all over the State were drill- 
ing for the army. The companies thus raised, 
composed of white men, who were supporting the 
governor, were organized into regiments and bat- 
talions and massed at Raleigh. Some negro com- 
panies were also organized in some of the Eastern 
counties and held in reserve. 

"Kirk's Lambs." — Governor Holden appointed 
George W. Kirk, of East Tennessee, to the com- 
mand of his standing arniy. Kirk was generally 
disliked because of the part he had taken in the 
Civil War. At the beginning of the war, he had 
entered the Confederate service as a volunteer, but 
deserted to the Federals as soon as the cause 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 395 

t^ecmed lost. As a Federal raider in East Tennes^ 
see and Western North Carolina, he was guilty of 
many inhuman things. He was despised by the 
people of the country through which his army 
passed. Such was the man Governor Holden se^ 
lected to command this army, which was after^ 
ward spoken of as "Kirk^s Lambs.'* 

"War" in Alamance. — After drilling his army 
until, as lie thought, they could stand fire, Colonel 
Kirk, under orders from Governor Holden 
marched to Alamance County to put down the 
rebellion that Was said to be in existence there. 
Arriving at Compaii}^ Shops, now Burlington, Kirk 
halted for several weeks. He encountered no re^ 
sistance, for the people were going ahead with 
their daily work, and it appeared to Kirk that if 
there was to be any war, it would have to be 
fought oQ-t by the governor's soldiers alone. 

Arrest of Prominent Men. — After some weeks 
Kirk sent a squad of soldiers to the home o( Adol- 
phus Moore, a prominent citizen of Alamance 
County, and arrested him, and put him in jail at 
Graham. The only charge against him was that 
he was suspected of being a Ku-Klux. About the 
same time, he arrested John Kerr, of Caswell 
County, and Josiah Turner, of Hillsboro, who had 
been outspoken in their criticism of both Governor 
FTolden and Colonel Kirk. Several other citizens 
were seized and confined in jail. 

Capture of Captain Shotwell. — Captain Randolph 
Shotwell was editor, at that time, of a newspaper 
at Rnthcrfordton, anrl sriid, in his paper, some 



396 A Child's History of North CaroUna. 

severe things about Holden's army of scallawags. 
as he called them. (lovernor Holden ordered his 
arrest. Shotwell was seized and brought to 
Raleigh for trial before the' Federal court on the 
charge of being a Ku-Klux. The charge Shotwell 
never denied, and he was, therefore, convicted and 
sentenced . to hard labor for five years in the 
Albany penitentiary. He was taken to the north- 
ern prison in the fall of 1870. 

Kirk Resists the Supreme Court. — Colonel Kirk 
continued his merciless "warfare" in Alamance and 
Caswell counties for two months before people 
generally realized what was going on. Finally the 
conservative men of the State began to take steps 
to resist him in his unlawful acts. Adolphus 
Moore, Josiah Turner, and John Kerr, while in 
prison, through their attorneys, appealed to Chief 
Justice Pearson for a writ of habeas corpus, 
whereupon Kirk was ordered to bring his prison- 
ers to Raliegh for trial. Kirk refused to obey the 
order of justice Pearson, giving as his reason that 
he was acting under orders from the governor. 

An "Exhausted" Judiciary. — Kirk's refusal to 
obey brought the judicial and executive branches 
of the State government into conflict. Judge Pear- 
son wrote to Covernor Holden to know if Kirk 
was acting under orders. The governor replied 
that he was. Chief Justice Pearson then said that 
the power of the Supreme Court was exhausted. 
This was the first and only time in the history 
of North Carolina that an officer refused to obey 
an order of the Supreme Court. 




-Z I^ 1 { H IX) K 1 VA \\<\) \ A N C K 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 397 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What act was pasF.ed in 1870? 

2. Why did Ciovernor T I olden suggest the meas- 

ure? 

3. AA'^ho was Kirk? V\diat was his reputation? 

4. W^hat were "Kirk's Lambs"? 

5. Where did Kirk lead his army? 

6. What did he find there? 

7. W^iat prominent men did he arrest there? 

W^hy? 

8. \A"hy ^^'as Captain Shotwell arrested? 

9. What was done with him? 

10. ^\'hat effort was made to cheek Kirk? 

11. V/hy did Kirk refuse to obey the Supreme 

Court ? 

12. Why did Judge Pearson say that the power of 

the Supreme Court was exhausted? 



398 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LXXL 
IMPEACHMENT OF HOLDEN. 

General Ransom Comes to the Rescue. — Kirk be- 
came more violent when he found out that the 
eifort to restrain him had failed. He arrested 
peaceable citizens, and, without any form of trial, 
confined them in dungeons, and refused to tell 
them of what they were accused. In this condition 
of affairs, intense excitement prevailed throughout 
the commonwealth. There seemed to be no power 
to protect innocent men from the tyranny of the 
governor. In this crisis, an appeal was made to 
the government of the United States. Hon. George 
W. Brooks, of Elizabeth City, had, a short while 
before, been appointed by President Grant Judge 
of the Federal Court for the district of North Car- 
olina. General Matt Ransom visited Judge Brooks 
and brought to his attention the fact that Adol- 
phus Moore, Josiah Turner, John Kerr, and other 
good citizens were being held in prison in defiance 
of the Supreme Court of the State. Judge Brooks 
was interested in Ransom's recital of wrongs and 
promised to see that the prisoners were given a 
fair trial. 

Help Comes at Last. — Hurrying to Raleigh, 
Judge Brooks held a conference with the governor. 

''You will plunge the State into civil war if you 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 399 

release those men," declared Holden with em- 
phasis. 

"Let it come, then," answered Judge Brooks 
with warmth ; "I shall see that those prisoners have 
a fair hearing if it takes the whole power of the 
United States government." 

That day, August 6, 1870, Judge Brooks issued 
a peremptory order to Colonel Kirk to present his 
prisoners for trial at Salisbury, August 18th. 

Meanwhile Governor Holden tried further to 
prevent Judge Brooks from carrying out his pur- 
pose. He wired President Grant to know if there 
was any way to check Brooks in his determina- 
tion. After consulting Attorney-General Acker- 
man, the President telegraphed Governor Holden 
that he would have to yield to the demands of 
Judge Brooks. 

Prisoners Set Free. — Judge Brooks opened court 
at Salisbury, August 18th^ according to his pub- 
lished order. Colonel Kirk came into the court- 
room attended by a bodyguard of armed men. 
Judge Brooks asked him why he came armed into 
the presence of the court. He replied that he was 
afraid of the people, and did not consider himself 
safe unless surrounded by the muskets of his men. 
He was ordered to dismiss his attendants and pul 
himself under the protection of the court. Being 
asked for evidence against the i)i"i^oners, he re- 
plied that he had none, but was holding them only 
under orders of Governor Holden. Judge Brooks 
thereupon, ordered the release of the prisoners and 



r A Child's History of North Carolina. 

taxed Colonel Kirk with the cost. This ended the 
so-called "Kirk War." 

Result of the Fall Elections. — In the fall elec- 
tions of 1870, (lovernor Holden and his partisans 
went down in defeat. The Conservatives elected a 
majority in both branches of the General Assem- 
bly. Holden began now to fear the wrath of the 
people he had so grievously outraged. Even be- 
fore the meeting of the Legislature, in December 
open threats were made that impeachment pro- 
ce-edings would be instituted against the governor 
for high crimes and misdemeanors in office. 

Impeachment of the Governor. — Accordingly 
when the General Assembly met in December, a 
bill of impeachment was passed and Governo' 
Holden was arraigned before the bar of the Senate 
to answer the charges preferred against him. Chief 
Justice Pearson of the Supreme Court was the pre- 
siding judge. The trial lasted three months, able 
lawyers on both sides contesting every point at 
issue. Finally, in March, 1871, Governor Holden 
WMS found guilty and deposed from office, and de- 
barred forever from holding any public office in 
North Carolina. Thus for the first and only time 
in the history of the State a governor was itn- 
peached and removed from office. He was suc- 
ceeded by Tod R. Caldwell, the lieutenant-gov- 
ernor. 




u 

be 



X 



m 



o 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 401 

QUESTIONS. 

1. Tell what General Ransom did; what Judge 

Brooks did. 

2. How did Governor Holden try to hinder Judge 

Brooks? 

3. Tell something of their conversation. 

4. Why did Kirk come into court armed? 

5. What evidence did he have? 

6. Why were the prisoners released? 

7. How did the "Kirk War" end? 

8. What was .the result of the elections that 

year? 

9. What charges were preferred against Gov- 
-^ ■^' ernor Holden? 

10. How long did the trial last? 

11. What was the decision of the Senate? 

12. What did the decision mean? 



402 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LXXir. 
RETREAT OF THE CARPET-BAGGERS. 

Vance Elected United States Senator. — Ex-Gov- 
ernor Vance was elected to the United States 
Senate by the General Assembly of 1871 to suc- 
ceed Senator Abbott, a carpet-bagger. Vance had 
never been pardoned by the Federal government 
for the part he had taken in the Civil War, for he 
had refused to take the 'Tron clad oath," which all 
officers of the Confederacy had to take before being 
restored to their rights as citizens. Those who 
refused to take this oath were disfranchised, and 
could neither vote nor hold office until they were 
pardoned by Congress, which process was called 
removing the ''disabilities." Vance had never had 
his disabilities removed, and for that reason he was 
continued in office until the next session of the 
General Assembly, when General Matt Ransom 
was elected to the vacancy- 
Death of the Siamese Twins. — In Mount Airy, 
Surry County, occurred January 17, 1874, the death 
of the famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng 
Bunker. These two remarkable beings had been 
the wonder of the times. Their bodies were bound 
together at the breast and side by ligaments of 
flesh with such vtial connection that death would 
necessarily follow a surgical operation. Born in 



"Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 403 

Siam, they had travele-d over the world, amassed 
■a fortune by exhibiting themselves in shows, mar- 
ried, and settled down at Mount Airy. On the date 
"mentioned both became suddenly ill, Chang dying 
'first, followed in a few hours by his unfortunate 
brother. 

Convention of 1875. — The General Assembly of 
1874 called a convention to meet in Raleigh in 
September, 1875., for the purpose of revising the 
■"Canby Constitution'' of 1868. The election of del- 
'egatcs, in August, 1875, resulted in the choice of 
•sixty Democrats, fifty-eight Republicans, and two 
independents. Some of the wisest and best men 
•of the State were members, among them General 
T. T.. Clingman, ex-Governor D. S. Reid, John 
Manning, Thomas J. Jarvis, Judge Tourgee, Gen- 
"eral Rufus Barringer, and Colonel O. H. Dockery. 
After an eventful si'ssion of a few weeks, the 
'^'Canby Constitution" was revised and made more 
nearly to suit the conditions then existing. 

Election of County Commissioners. — One of the 
•changes made in the constitution by the convention 
«of 1875 was the method of electing county com- 
missioners. The Canby Constitution required the 
'election of all county officers by popular vote. As 
a consequence, in the large negro counties of the 
^ast, notably Halifax, Edgecombe, Craven, New 
Hanover, Northampton, and Warren, the ignorant 
negro vote had put into positions of trust inca- 
pable persons of their own race, or incompetent 
white men. To prevent a continuance of this mis- 
fortune, the convention put the selection of justices 



404 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

of the peace in the hands of the General Assembly, 
and by statute it was ordered that in certain coun- 
ties the justices of the peace elect the county com- 
missioners. 

Triumph of the Conservatives. — In 1876, Zebulon 
B. Vance, the famous war governor, was re-elected 
to the chief magistracy of North Carolina, defeat- 
ing Judge Thomas Settle after a memorable cam^ 
paign, in which the two candidates stumped the 
State together. By this time, most of the carpet- 
baggers, seeing that their sway had completely 
ended in North CaroUna, took their departure into 
other States, as their brethren of former years had 
done. One of them. Judge Albion W. Tourgee, 
went North and wrote a book entitled "A Fool's 
Errand." His errand South was characterized by 
the title of his book. Other carpet-baggers fol- 
lowed Judge Tourgee's example, though they wrote 
no books. A few of them, however, remained in 
North Carolina, adapted themselves to the new 
condition, turned their attention to business, and 
assisted in the upbuilding of the State. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. Why was Vance not allowed his seat in the 

United States Senate? Who was elected to 
the vacancy? 

2. What is meant by removing the disabilities? 

3. Who were the Siamese Twins? Why were 

they famous? 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 405 

4. Why was the convention of 1875 called? 

Name some members. 

5. What change in the constitution is mentioned? 

6. Tell of the election of 1876. What did the 

carpet-baggers do? 
X What was the "Fool's Errand?" When did 
reconsStruction days end? 



406 A Child's HistoTy of North Carolmi^^ 



Chapter Lxxiir. 

INDUSTRIAL AND EDUCATIONAL 
PROGRESS 

The State' University Reorganized. — During- re- 
Construction days, the usefulness of the State Unf-- 
versity was greatly impaired. The management 
was not acceptable to the people of the State.- 
Patronage, therefore, Was withheld until the doors- 
of the ancient seat of learning were practically 
closed in 1870. In 1875, however, a new faculty 
was selected, and the university reopened in Sep- 
temher of that year with sixty-nine students. In' 
Juse; 1876, Dr. Kemp P. Battle was chosen presi- 
dent. Dr. Battle at once beg-an a vigorous policy' 
of expansion and grbwth. The next year showed a 
large increase in the number of students, and since 
that time progress has been steady. Dr. Battle re- 
signed in 1891, and the presidency has been suc- 
cessively held since by Georg'e T. Winston, E. A, 
Alderman, F. P. Venable, and E. K, Graham. 

Tobacco Industry. — Previous to the Civil War 
there was practically no tobacco industry in North 
Carolina. During the war, however, the attention' 
of farmers began to be turned to its cultivation, 
and in the last year of the struggle, some smoking: 
tobacco began to be manufactured, in a small way, 
at Durham Station, on the North Carolina Rail- 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 407 

road. That was the beginning of the tobacco 
manufacturing in the State. Durham was a mere 
hamlet at the time, but has since become a city of 
importance. Among the men who have made 
Durham famous are W, T. Blackwell, J> S. Carr, 
and Washington Duke, and his sons. Immense 
fortunes have been accumulated by these men and 
others who have engaged in the same business. 
Other towns have grown up under like influences, 
Some of them rivalling, or even surpassing, Dur- 
ham. Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Rocky Mount, 
Wilson, Reidsville, and Burlington are examples 
of thrifty municipalities that have grown up be- 
cause of the tobacco industry. 

The Tilden and Hayes Election. — In the fall of 
1876, the people of North Carolina became greatly 
excited over the result of the presidential election 
of that year. The candidates for president were 
Samuel J. Tilden, Democrat, and Rutherford B. 
Hayes, Republican. For two or three days after 
the election, it was generally conceded that Mr. 
Tilden had been elected. In a few days, however, 
the Republicans began to claim that frauds had 
been committed in .South Carolina, Florida, and 
Louisiana, and that those .States should be counted 
for Hayes instead of l^ilden. That claim produced 
intense excitement, for it was believed that Presi- 
dent Grant was back of it with the bayonets of 
the United States army. It seemed certain that 
civil war would result, for both sides stoutly 
claimed the election. Washington City was garri- 
soned by soldiers, and men all over the country 



408 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

were threatening to take up arms. Finally Con- 
gress appointed a Commission of fifteen members 
to count the votes in the contested States. This- 
commission, composed of seven Democrats and 
eight Republicans, by a strict party vote, decided 
that the votes of the contested states should all 
be counted for Hayes, giving him a majority of 
one in the electoral college. Tilden and his friends 
yielded their contention for the sake of peace, and 
the danger of civil war was averted. 

Treatment of the Colored Race. — When the con- 
servative element of the white people of North 
Carolina resumed control of all branches of the 
State government, in 1877, a policy of forbearance 
and kindness was begun toward the negro race. 
The negro men, recently in slavery but by the re- 
suft of the war given liberty, had joined the carpet- 
baggers and scallawags, and had voted almost 
solidly and steadily against what seemed the best 
interest of all the people'. Upon the overthrow, 
however, of the carpet-bag government, the Vhite 
people showed no hostility toward the colored race; 
During the administration of Governor Vance, who 
was elected in 1876, and his successor. Governor 
T. J. Jarvis, large sums of money were a;ppropri- 
ated by the General Assembly for the educatior^ o€ 
negro children and for the care of the insane 
among them. Four Normal Schools for the" educa- 
tion and training of negro teachers were established 
at different points in the State, and a College of 
Agriculture and Mechanic Arts was opened for 
negro students at Greensboro. An insane asylum 



period of Reconstruction and Growth. 40^ 

for colored patients was built at Goldsboro, and 
other schools and charities were supported by the 
State government. 

Settlement of Old Debts. — As the bonds issued 
by the State before the Civil War began to fall 
due, it was seen that some readjustment of finan- 
cial condition .was necessary. Reconstruction days 
had left the State in a worse financial condition 
.ttian the war had, and there was no money with 
which to pay the bonds. There was no thought, 
however, of repudiating them, and the creditors 
were not unreasonable. A settlement was finally 
agreed upon by which new bonds were issued and 
the old ones cancelled. The bonds that were issued 
during reconstruction days, called Special Tax 
bonds, by which money was gotten by the boodlcrs 
among the carpet-baggers largely for their own 
Use, were repudiated in 1877 by Act of the General 
Assembly. 

Assassination of President Garfield. — On July 2, 
1881, President Garfield was shot by an assassin 
in the Union Station in Washington City. The 
news of the crime, the second of the kind in the 
history of the United States, was received with 
sorrow all over the country. Tn North Carolina 
memorial services were held in almost every town 
in honor of the martyred President, who died of 
(he wound in September, 



410 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. Why did the patronage of the University de- 

decline in Reconstruction days? 

2. Tell how the institution has been redeemed. 

3. When did the tobacco industry begin in North 

Carolina? 

4. Tell how some towns have grown. 

5. What caused the excitement in 1876? 

6. Who was elected President that year? How 

was the contest decided? 

7. What policy was pursued toward the colored 

race in 1877? 

8. How did the white people treat the negroes? 

Give Some examples. 

9. How were the old debts against the State 

settled? 

10. What was the feeling about the reconstruction 

bonds? 

11. How did North Carolina express her sorrow 

for President Garfield? 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 411 



CHAPTER I.XX'IV. 
EVENTS AT HOME AND ABROAD 

The Farmers' Alliance. — About 1891 a secret 
fi-ociety called the Farmers' Alliance was organized, 
and in a short while nearly all the farmers of the 
State had become members. At first the organiza- 
tion was strictly non-political, having for its object 
the improvement of agricultural conditions. The 
next year, however, the purpose was lost sight of 
in the excitement of the presidential election, and 
the Farmers' Alliance became a political organiza- 
tion. From it came the Populist party, which 
combined or fused with the Republican party, in 
1894 and 1896, thereby getting control of the Leg- 
islature, and all departments of the State goverrf- 
ment, electing Daniel L. Russell, of Wilmington^ 
governor. A Populist, Marion Butler, and a Re- 
publican, J. C. Pritchard, were elected to the 
c^enate of the United States. 

Destruction of the Maine. — For some years the 
people of Cuba had been engaged in a war with 
Spain in art effort to gain their independence. In 
the latter part of 1897, the Cubans appealed to the 
United States for aid, but our government did not 
see fit to respond, although nearly everybody in 
the United States wished to see Cuba free. About 
the first of February, 1898, however, President 



412 A Child's History of North Caroling, 

McKinley ordered the battleship Maine to Havana, 
in order to watch the progress of events there, and 
to protect American interests. On February 15th 
while lying at anchor in the harbor of Havana, 
not far from the city, the battleship was blown 
up by a submarine mine, resulting in the complete 
destruction of the ship and the death of two hun^ 
dred and sixty-six American sailors. It Was be^ 
lieved all over the United States that Spanish 
officers in Havana had placed the mine and blown 
up the ship. The war feeling ran high. Congres^. 
kfter some delay, declared war against Spain on 
April 25, 1898. The battle cry of the Americans 
was, ''Remember the Maine." 

Duration of the War. — The war was short, be- 
ginning in April and ending in August, the same 
year. Some great things were done, however, in 
that short time. Commodore George Dewey, on 
May 1st, destroyed a Spanish fleet at Manila in the 
"Philippine Islands without loss to the American 
fleet. On May llth, the torpedo boat Winslow, 
ran into the harbor of Cardenas and fired upon the 
Spanish batteries, but was in turn disabled by the 
t^nemy and several American sailors killed. Ensign 
Worth Bagley, of North Carolina, being the first 
to fail, bUr State thus giving the first life ^ in the 
war. Commodore Schley, on July 3rd, completely 
destroyed the Spanish fleet at Santiago with prac- 
ticallv no damage to his own fleet. About the 
same time the American army made a landing in 
Cuba, defeated the Spanish in the battles of El 
Cancy and San Juan Hill, and captured the city 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 413 

of Santiago. Spain thereupon begged for peace, 
agreeing a acknowledge the independence of Cuba, 
and to surrender to the United States the Philip- 
pine Islands, Porto Rico and Gu.am. The treaty of 
peace was signed in October. 

North Carolina Soldiers. — North Carolina fur- 
nished two thousand men for the war, and would 
have supplied a hundred thousand had they been 
needed. While the fighting was going on in Cuba 
the North Caroling, boys wer^ held in camp in 
Florida, ready to go to the seat of war at any 
time. In November, after the war had ended, they 
were ordered to Havana, and were the first Amer- 
ican soldiers to enter that city. 

The Wilmington Revolution. — On November 10 
1898, a notable thing happened in Wilmington. 
The fusion Legislature of 1897, by special legisla- 
tion, put the city largely under negro rule. The 
mayor and the chief of police were white men, but 
there were negro aldermen and policemen. As a 
consequence the government of the city was badly 
carried on, and lawlessness prevailed. The con- 
servative white people endured that conditipn^.of- 
affairs until "The Record," a negro newspaper of 
the city, made some insulting remarks about the 
white women of the- State. That raised a storm 
and the white men of the city in mass meeting 
declared that they would submit to negro rule no 
longer. They also declared that the negro editor, 
who wrote the oft'ensive language, should be ban- 
ished from the city, and the newspaper plant re- 
moved. Twenty-four hours were given the negro 



414 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

editor to depart with his goods. At the end of that 
time a hundred men, under the leadership of Colo- 
nel A. M. Waddell, marched, with Winchester 
rifles, to the doomed printing office, destroyed the 
printing presses, and burned the building to the 
ground. The editor had fled. 

As the white men were returning to their homes, 
after the destruction of the printing plant, they 
were fired upon by some negroes who had collected 
on the streets. The white men returned the fire, 
and several negroes were killed or wounded. The 
news of the riot spread, and the whites rushed to 
arms all over the city. The negroes became panic- 
stricken, and about five thousand fled from the 
city and hid in the swamps and forests around. 

The Revolution Completed. — After the riot was 
over the incompetent negro and white officers of 
the city were forced to resign, one by one, and 
competent white men chosen in their places. Colo- 
nel A. M. Waddell was elected mayor, a conserva- 
tive board of aldermen installed, negro policemen 
discharged, and most of the negroes who had fled 
from the city returned. Thus the revolution was 
at an end. Since that time Wilmington has greatly 
prospered. 

Changed Conditions. — In that year, 1898, the 
election throughout the State resulted in a crush- 
ing defeat of the fusion forces and the Democrats 
regained control of aff^airs. The Legislature of 
1899 repealed the special laws by which negroes 
had gotten control of many eastern towns, and in 
that way banished negro rule forever from the 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 415 

State. The same Legislature passed what is known 
as the "educational amendment" to the constitu- 
tion. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. What was the purpose of the Farmers' Alli- 

ance? 

2. How did it fail in its object? 

3. What was the political complexion of the 

Legislature in 1897? 

4. What disaster occurred at Havana February 

15, 1898? 

5. What was the cause of that disaster? 

6. When was war declared? 

7. Give a brief account of the principal events. 

8. Who was the first man killed in the war? 

9. What were the terms of peace? 
10.| How long did the war last? 

11. Tell what the North Carolina soldiers did in 

the war. 

12. What was the cause of the Wilmington revo- 

lution? 

13. What did the mass meeting of citizens do? 

14. Give an account of the destruction of the 

"Record" ofhce and the riot that followed. 

15. How did a change of city officials take place? 

16. Who was chosen mayor? 

17. How did the election of 1898 result? 

18. What was done by the Legislature of 1899? 



416 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LXXV. 
EDUCATIONAL AWAKENING 

Revival in Education. — During ;the administra- 
tion of Governor Jarvis, from 1879 to 1885, there 
was a general educational awakening. Interest in 
the public schools, which had lagged during recon- 
struction days, was renewed; and improvements 
were begun which brought about an upheaval in 
the educational life of the people. Previous to 
1880 only a few towns had what might be termed 
fair educational advantages, but during ,t;he six 
years of Jarvis's administration and ,|the four of 
Scales's a dozen or more towns voted a special tax, 
and organized a system of public graded schools. 
Besides, many private schools of note sprang up in 
various parts of the State. 

State Schools. — About the same time, or soon 
thereafter, several institutions for the higher edu- 
cation of men and women were established under 
the immediate control of the State. The North 
Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts 
was authorized by the Legislature of 1887. Build- 
ings were erected in West Raleigh in 1889, and the 
school opened the same year. In 1891, the Normal 
and Industrial College for women was opened at 
(ireensboro. Both of these State schools have had 
a constantly increasing patronage. An asylum for 




c 
H 






',Vil 



Hi, - 



\by^ 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 417 

the deaf and dumb was built at Morganton in 1894. 

Removal of Trinity College. — Trinity College, 
the Methodist school for men, was chartered in 
1853, and located in Randolph County. There it 
went through periods of adversity and prosperity 
until 1892, when it was removed to Durham. New 
buildings were erected for the school in that city 
and the institution took on new life. It has re- 
ceived in recent years several large gifts from 
ardent friends, and is now the most heavily en- 
dowed college in the State. 

Other Schools. — Besides those already mentioned 
other schools of high grade for men and w^omen 
have been established. There are now more than 
a dozen colleges for the education of women and 
about half as many for men. In 1907 the State 
authorized the building of the East Carolina Teach- 
ers' Training School at Greenville. State public 
high schools have been established in every county, 
and graded schools are found in every town. 

The "Educational Governor." — In the August 
election of 1900, an Educational amendment to the 
State Constitution, (len}ing the right of suffrage, 
after 1908, to all males who cannot read and white, 
was submitted to a vote of the people and carried 
by over fifty thousand majority. At the same time 
the foHowing State officers were chosen : Charles 
B. yVycock, governor; W. D. 1\irner, lieutenant- 
governor; J. Bryan Grimes, secretary of state; R. 
D. Gilmer, attorney-general; B. E. Dixon, auditor; 
Benjamin R. Lacy, treasurer; T. F. 1\)on, superin- 
tendent of public inslruclion. 1"1k' election that 



418 A Child's History of North Carolina, 

year brought the question of education prominently 
before the public, and the verdict was for better 
schools. Aycock's administration is noted for an 
educational revival throughout the State. A four 
months' school was secured in every district; rural 
libraries were established in almost every county; 
the State schools were greatly improved in equip- 
ment, and larger appropriations than ever before 
were voted them. Governor Aycock was so en- 
thusiastic in the support of all measures for the 
public schools that he is called the "educational 
governor." 

The Educational Campaign. — Early in 1902 Su- 
perintendent of Public Instruction Toon died, and 
was succeeded by Professor J. Y. Joyner, who, at 
the time of his appointment, occupied the chair of 
English in the Normal and Industrial College. 
Under the direction of Mr. Joyner an educational 
campaign committee was named and headquarters 
opened at Raleigh, from which speakers and litera- 
ture were sent out into every section of the State. 
As a result of these efforts special tax districts 
were increased from thirty in 1900 to more than 
three hundred in 1916. During the same time 
about one thousand rural libraries were opened in 
districts where none had been before. This com- 
mittee was composed of the following: J, Y. 
Joyner, chairman ; Charles D. Mclver, Governor 
Charles B. Aycock, and E. C. Brooks. 

Consolidation of Districts. — Another important 
result of the educational awakening is the con- 
solidation of public school districts. More than 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 419 

one thousand small ones were abolished and larger 
ones occupying the same territory establsihed in 
their stead. Consequently, better school houses 
have been built, a larger number of pupils enrolled 
in each school, and better teachers employed. A 
school-house loan fund was created, and many dis- 
tricts have been aided in the erection of suitable 
buildings. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. When did the educational awakening begin? 

2. What effect had it upon the public schools? 

3. What State schools were established? 

4. Tell about the removal of Trinity College? 

5. How many schools for the higher education of 

women are there in the State? For men? 

6. Who began the educational campaign of 1902? 

7. What was the object of the campaign com- 

mittee? Some results? 

8. What officers were elected in 1900? 

9. Who was the "educational governor"? 

10. What advantage is there in the consolidation 

of districts? 

11. What is the school-house loan fund? 

12. How many local tax districts in the State? 

13. How many rural libraries? 



420 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



CHAPTER LXXVI. 
MOST RECENT TIMES. 

Progress of Affairs. — Since 1898, general pros- 
perity has spread over the State. Business has 
uniformly increased in volume; agriculture has 
materially developed and enlarged ; cotton and fur- 
niture factories have been built in almost every 
community ; sw^amp lands have been drained, there- 
by adding thousands of square miles of arable to 
the cultivated area ; facilities for travel and trade 
have greatly improved ; relations between capital 
and labor are cordial; tov^ns and cities are rapidly 
growling; and rural districts are being made de- 
lightful by the introduction of the rural mail 
routes, the telephone, the consolidation of school 
districts, and the gradual extension of the electric 
light and water systems. 

Governor Glenn and the Bondholders. — In the 
fall election of 1904, Robert B. Glenn was elected 
governor, with Francis D. Winston, lieutenant- 
governor, and James Y. Joyner, superintendent of 
public instruction. The other State officials were 
the same as in 1900. Early in Governor Glenn's 
administration, it became known that a bondhold- 
ing syndicate in New York City had bought sev- 
eral hundred thousand dollars worth of North Car- 
olina bonds of reconstruction days, which had been 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 421 

Repudiated by the General Assembly, This syndi- 
cate, in order to test the validity of the bonds, pre- 
sented some of them to the State of South Dakota, 
and prevailed upon that State to enter suit agamst 
North Carolina to recover their full value. Suit 
was begun and finally decided by the Supreme 
'Court of the United States in kvor of South 
Dakota, and judgment w^as given against North 
Carolina for the amount involved. As soon as the 
<decisiori wsls reftdered, the bondholders presented 
the remaining bonds in their possession for payment. 
Governor Glenn, in a special message to the Gen- 
'eral Assembly ol 1905, urged that a final settlement 
be made with the syndicate. Acting upon this 
^advice, a committee was appointed to make the 
settlement, and, after a thorough investigation, the 
recommendation was made that the State accept a 
compromise offered by the holders of the bonds. 
By the payment of about three hundred thousand 
dollars by the State the bonds were cancelled and 
^a long controversy settled. 

Trouble With the Railroads. — Tn 1907, the Gen- 
eral Assembly passed an act reducing passenger 
lares on atl ra^ilroads in the State to two and a 
'quarter cents k m^le. The four great railroad sys- 
tems, the Soutern, the Atlantic Coast Line, the Sea- 
'board Air Line, and the Norfolk Southern, refused 
'to obey the law% and appealed to Judge Jeter 'C 
Pritchard ol the Circuit Court of the United vStates 
for an injunction restraining the State from en- 
forcing the law. The injunction was granted, but 
^Tjovernor Glenn declared his purpose to enforce 



422 A Child's History of North Caroling. 

the law, and proceeded to arrest several ticket 
agents for selling fares at a higher rate than the' 
law allowed. Intense excitement prevailed foi' 
several weeks, for it seemed that an armed conflict 
would occur between the State and Federal author- 
ities. Happily, however, the dispute was com- 
promised, the General Assembly placing the rate at 
two and a half centg a mile, which was satisfactory 
to the railroads. 

The Election of 1908.— The following State offi- 
cers were elected in 1908: William W. Kitchin^ 
Governor; William C. Newland, Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor; J. Bryan Grimes, Secretary of State; Benj.- 
F. Dixon, Auditor; Benj. K. Lacy, Treasurer; T. 
W. Bickett, Attorney-General ; James Y. Joyner, 
Superintendent of Public Instruction.- Auditor 
mxoti died in 1910, and W. P. Wood, of Randolph 
County, succeeded him. At a special election in 
May of the same year, State- wide prohibition of 
the liquor traffic Was voted by a large majority. 
The administration of Governor Kitchiri was 
marked by general advancement in business and 
social conditions. 

Development of Literature. — North Carolina has^ 
produced no great writers, but mSny clever ones^' 
have lived wHthin her borders. In colonial timers 
there were many talented men in the province', 
although the masses of the people were' unedu- 
cated. Among the -writers of that period were 
John Lawson and Dr. John Brickell, both of whom' 
wrote treatises on the history and natural resources 
of the colony; Judge Maurice Moore, who was the 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. 423 

?iuthor of the "Atticus Letters,'^ a severe criticism 
of Governor Tryon ; and Colonel Thomas Pollock, 
who has left much valuable information in his let- 
ter book. Soon after the Revolution, the following 
became prominent as writers: Judge James Iredell, 
who published a learned treatise on law; Dr. Hugh 
Williamson, who published a "History of North 
Carolina" ; Judge Francis Xavier Martin, who also 
■published a history of the State ; and Joseph Sewell 
Jones, whose ''Defense of the Revolutionary History 
of North Carolina" and "My Log Cabin in the 
Prairie" are readable and interesting. About the 
middle of the nineteenth century, there was consid- 
erable activity in history writing. Dr. Francis L. 
Hawkes and Rev. E. W. Caruthers contrib- 
uted valuable books on the history of the State, as 
did also Colonel John H. Wheeler. William A. 
Graham, David L. Swain, and Drs. Hubbard and 
Foote contributed addresses and sketches on the 
same subject. During the same period Judge 
William Gaston published his celebrated ode, "The 
Old North State," and Dr. Calvin H. Wiley com- 
piled **The North Carolina Reader." A little 
later, William R, Harrell published the beautiful 
poem, "Ho ! for Carolina." Tn later times, follow- 
ing the Civil War, John W. Moore and Mrs. Cor- 
nelia P. Spencer published histories of the State, 
which "were used for many years in the public 
schools. Among the poets may be mentioned 
Theophilus H. Hill, Edwin W. Fuller, John Henry 
Jonar, John Charles McNeil, Mrs. Mary Bayard 
Clark Henry Jerome Stockard, and Benj. F. Sledd. 



424 A Child's History of North Carolina, 

In the field of fiction, the most noted are Mrgv 
Frances Fisher, Hinton Helper, Thomas DixonV 
and Sidney Porter (0. Henry). Besides those 
mentioned, there have been others who have made' 
reputations in the departments of poetry, history,- 
law^, and fiction. The monumental w^ork of the' 
Cofonial and State Record by Colonel William L„ 
Saunders and Judge Walter Clark is invaluable. 
''The Biographical History of North Carolina," by" 
Samuel A. Ashe, is a valuable work in ten vol-- 
Umes. *'The History of North Carolina," in twc^ 
volumes by the same author, is also a work of 
research and note. Clarence Poe, D\ H. Hill, R. D, 
W. Connor, W. J. Peefe, De Lancy Haywood, and 
W. L. Poteat have also greatly enriched the* liter- 
ature of the State by writings of note. 

Patriotic Societies. — Until comparatively recent 
times, no organized effort was made to preserve' 
the historic relics of the State, or to put on record 
the achievements of the past. As a people, North 
Carolinians h?^^e been diligent in making history, 
but have beei\ f^ontent with letting notable deeds- 
go unrecorded. Within the present generation, 
however, patriotic women through their societies^. 
"Daughters of the American Revolution," ''Daug*!!-' 
ters of the Revolution," "Colonial Dames/*' ancf 
"Daughters of the Confederacy," are keeping alive' 
in times of peace the memory of those who per- 
formed deeds of heroism on the battlefields". The 
North Carolina Hall of History and the Historical 
Commission, that are now doing so much to re- 



JPeriod of Reconstruction and Growth. 425 

Cover the history of the State, are largely the 
result o( work done in these Societies. 

Statues and Monuments. — North Carolinian^ 
have never been monument builders. While not 
wholly indifferent to the deeds of their ancestors, 
they have neglected to portray them in bronze of 
marble. Even the niche in the Capitol at Wash- 
ington, reserved for busts of two famous North 
Carolinians, has not been filled. Within the last 
few years, however, a new spirit bas begun to be 
felt, and there is now a more prorloilnced disposi- 
tion to erect monuments. There is a monument to' 
the Signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of In- 
dependence at Charlotte, one to Zebulori E. Vance 
at Asheville, another to the Soldiers and Sailors 
of the Confederacy at Raleigh, and one to Vance 
at Raleigh. Besides these, other monuments of less- 
note have been erected at other places. 

Present Status of Affairs. — In the fall electidri of 
1912, Locke Craig, of Asheville, was chosen Gov- 
crnor, and E. L. Daughtridge, of Rocky Mount. 
Lieutenant-Governor. The other officers were the" 
same as in 19(38. Governor Craig's administration 
has been marked by great industrial development. 
Agricultural interests have been stressed, and, as a 
result, rural life is greatly enriched financially, so- 
cially, educationally, and religiously. Many of the 
city comforts and conveniences have been extended 
to country districts, and the cry, "Back to the 
farm," is persistent. 

Conclusion. — By comparison with other States 
it will be seen that North Carolina has always been 



426 A Child's History of North Caroling* 

^mong the foremost in the cause of liberty. She 
was the first to make at Alamance armed resist-^ 
ance to royal rule ; first to declare for independ^ 
fence * first to win a victory in the Revolution ; first 
kt Bethel ; farthest to the front at Gettysburg and 
Chickamauga ; last at Appomattox ; and first at 
Cardenas. No State can claim a record that shows 
more devotion to principle, or a people more con- 
servative and heroic. No one can tell what the 
future will be^ but the past is secure, and that i^ 
glorious. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. What evidences of progress are there? 

2. Give an account of the South Dakota case and 

what followed. What settlement with the 
bondholders Was made? 

3. Give the incidents of the passenger-rate con- 

troversy. 

4. Name the writers and their works of colonial 

times ; soon after the Revolution ; about the 
middle of the nineteenth century; following 
the Civil War; most recent times. 

5. Who wfote histories of the State? Songs? 

Poetry? Novels? Other writers? 

6. Name some patriotic societies; some monu- 

ments. 
^7. What has been done to benefit country life? 
S. Give the thought in conclusiouv 



Period of Reconstruction and Growth. All 



General review of the period of" 
reconstruction and recovery 

1865-1916 

Give a brief satemerit about each of the fol- 
lowing i 



William W. Holdeii 
Jonathan Worth 
John W. Stephens 
tosiah Turner 
George W. Brooks 
Worth Bagiey 



George W. Kirk 
Adolphus Moore 
John Kerr 
Randolph Shotwell 
Tod R. Caldwell 
Chas. E). Mclver 



IMPORTANT EVENTS 

Give a brief statement about each of the {olloW 
ing events : 



Canby's Election 
Origin of the Ku-Klux 
The Kirk War 
Convention of 1875 
The Wilmington Revo- 
lution. 



Origin oi the Loyal 

League 
Murder oi Stephens 
impeachment of Holdcri 
Destruction of the Maine 
Passenger-rate Contro- 
versy 



APPENDIX I. 

CONSTITUTION 

of the 

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. 

PREAMBLE. 

We, the people of the State of North CaroUna, 
grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of 
nations, for the preservation of the American 
Union, and the existence of our civil, political and 
religious liberties, and acknowledging our depend- 
ence upon Him for the continuance of those bless- 
ings to us and our posterity, do, for the more 
certain security thereof, and for the better govern- 
ment of this State, ordain and establish this Con- 
stitution : 

ARTICLE I. 

Declaration of Rights. 

That the great, general and essential principles 
of liberty and free government may be recognized 
and established, and that the relations of this State 
to the Union and government of the United States. 
and those of the people of this State to the rest of 



430 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

the American people may be defined and affirmed, 
we do declare : 

Section 1. That we hold it to be self-evident 
that all men are created equal ; that they are en- 
dowed by their Creator with certain unalienable 
rights ; that among these are life, liberty, the en- 
joyment of the fruits of their own labor, and the 
pursuit of happiness. 

Sec. 2. That all political power is vested in, and 
derived from, the people ; all government of right 
originates from the people, is founded upon their 
will only, and is instituted solely for the good of 
the whole. 

Sec. 3. That the people of this State have the 
inherent, sole and exclusive right of regulating the 
internal government and police thereof, and of 
altering and abolishing their Constitution and form 
of government whenever it may be necessary for 
their safety and happiness; but every such right 
should be exercised in pursuance of law and con- 
sistently with the Constitution of the United 
States. 

Sec. 4. That this State shall ever remain a 
member of the American Union ; that the people 
thereof are part of the American nation ; that there 
is no right on the part of the State to secede, and 
that all attempts, from whatever source or upon 
whatever pretext, to dissolve said Union, or to 
sever said nation, ought to be resisted with the 
whole power of the State. 

Sec. 5. That every citizen of the State owes 
paramount allegiance to the Constitution and g:ov- 



Constitution of North Carolina. 431 

ernment of the United States, and that no law or 
ordinance of the State in contravention or subver- 
sion thereof can have any binding force. 

Sec. 6. The State shall never assume or pay, or 
authorize the collection of any debt or obligation, 
express or implied, incurred in aid of insurrection 
or rebellion against the United States, or any claim 
for the loss or emancipation of any slave; nor shall 
the General Assembly assume or pay, or authorize 
the collection of any tax to pay either directly or 
indirectly, expressed or implied, any debt or bond 
incurred, or issued, by authority of the Convention 
of the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty- 
eight, nor any debt or bond incurred, or issued, by 
the Legislature of the year one thousand eight 
hundred and sixty-eight, either at its special ses- 
sion of the year one thousand eight hundred and 
sixty-eight, or at its regular sessions of the years 
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight and 
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine and one 
thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine and one 
thousand eight hundred and seventy, except the 
bonds issued to fund the interest on the old debt 
of the State, unless the proposing to pay the same 
shall have first been submitted to the people, and 
by them ratified by the vote of a majority of all the 
qualified voters of the Stae, at a regular election 
held for that purpose. 

Sec. 7. No man or set of men are entitled to 
exclusive or separate emoluments or privileges 
from the community but in consideration of public 
services. 



432 A Child's History of North Carolina, 

Sec. 8. The legislative, executive and supreme 
judicial powers of the government ought to be for- 
ever separate and distinct from each other. 

Sec. 9. All power of suspending laws, or the 
execution of laws, by any authority, without the 
consent of the representatives of the people, is in- 
jurious to their rights, and ought not to be exer- 
cised. 

Sec. 10. All elections ought to be free. 

Sec. 11. In all criminal prosecutions every man 
has the right to be informed of the accusation 
against him and to confront the accusers and wit- 
nesses with other testimony, and to have counsel 
for his defence, and not be compelled to give evi- 
dence against himself, or to pay costs, jail fees or 
necessary witness fees of the defence, unless found 
guilty. 

Sec. 12. No person shall be put to answer any 
criminal charge, except as hereinafter allowed but 
by indictment, presentment or impeachment. 

Sec. 13. No person shall be convicted of any 
crime but by the unanimous verdict of a jury of 
good and lawful men in open court. The Legis- 
lature may, however, provide other means of trial 
for petty misdemeanors, with the right of appeal. 

Sec. 14. Excessive bail should not be required 
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual 
punishments inflicted. 

Sec. 15. General warrants, whereby any officer 
or messenger may be commanded to search sus- 
pected places, without evidence of the act com- 
mitted, or to seize any person or persons not 



Constitution of North Carolina. 433 

named, whose offence is not particularly described 
and supported by evidence, are dangerous to lib- 
erty, and ought not to be granted. 

Sec 16. There shall be no imprisonment for 
<lebt in this State, except in cases of fraud. 

Sec 17. No person ought to. be taken, impris- 
oned or disseized of his freehold, liberties or privi- 
lege's, or outlawed or exiled, or in any manner 
-deprived of his life, liberty or property but by the 
law of the land. 

Sec, 18, Every person restrained of his liberty 
is entitled to a remedy to inquire into the lawful- 
ness thereof, and to remove the same, if unlawful ; 
and such remedy ought not to be denied or de- 
layed. 

Sec, 19. In all controversies at law^ respecting 
property, the ancient mode of trial by jury is one 
of the best securities of the rights of the people, 
and ought to remain sacred and inviolable- 
Sec, 20, The freedom of the press is one of the 
great bulwarks of liberty, and therefore ought 
never to be restrained, but every individual shall 
be held responsible for the abuse of the same. 

Sec, 21, The privileges of the writ of habeas 
'Corpus shall not be suspended. 

Sec, 22, As political rights and privileges are 
not dependent upon, or modified by property, there- 
fore no property qualification ought to affect the 
Tight to vote or hold office. 

Sec. 23. The people of the State ought not to 
be taxed, or made subject to the payment of any 
impost or duty^ without the consent of themselves. 



434 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

or their representatives in General Assembly, freely 
given. 

Sec. 24. A w^ell regulated militia being neces- 
sary to the security of a free State, the right of the 
people to keep and bear arms shall not be in- 
fringed ; and, as standing armies in time of peace 
are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept 
up, and the military should be kept under strict 
subordination to, and governed by, the civil power. 
Nothing herein contained shall justify the practice 
of carrying concealed w^eapons, or prevent the Leg- 
islature from enacting penal statutes against said 
practice. 

Sec. 25. The people have a right to assemble 
together to consult for their common good, to in- 
struct their representatives, and to apply to the 
Legislature for redress of grievance. But secret 
political societies are dangerous to the liberties of 
a free people, and should not be tolerated. 

Sec. 26. All men have a natural and unalienable 
right to worship Almighty God according to the 
dictates of their own conscience, and no human 
authority should, in any case whatever, control or 
interfere with the rights of conscience. 

Sec. 27. The people have the right to the privi- 
lege of education, and it is the duty of the State to 
guard and maintain that right. 

Sec. 28. For redress of grievances, and for 
amending and strengthening the laws, elections 
should be often held. 

Sec. 29. A frequent recurrence to fundamental 



Constitution of North Carolina. 435 

principles is absolutely necessary to preserve the 
blessings of liberty, ^ 

Sec. 30. No hereditary emoluments, privileges 
or honors ought to be granted or conferred in this 

State, 

Sec. 31, Perpetuities and monopohes are con- 
trary to the genius of a free State, and ought not 
to be allow^ed. 

Sec. 32. Retrospective laws, punishing acts 
committed before the existence of such laws, and 
by them only declared criminal, are oppressive 
unjust and incompatible with Uberty, wherefore 
no ex post facto law ought to be made. No law 
taxing retrospectively sales, purchases, or other 
acts previously done, ought to be passed. 

Sec. 33. Slavery and involuntary servitude 
otherwise than for crime whereof the parties shall 
have been duly convicted, shall be, and are hereby, 
forever prohibited within the State. 

Sec. 34. The limits and boundaries of the State 
shall be and remain as they now are. 

Sec. 35. All courts shall be open; and every 
person for an injury done him in his lands, goods^ 
person or reputation, shall have remedy by due 
course of law, and right and justice administered 
without sale, denial or delay. 

Sec. 36. No soldier shall in time of peace be 
quartered in any house without the consent of the 
ovv^ner; nor in time of war but in a manner pre- 
scribed by law. 

Sec 37. This enumeration of rights shall not 
be construed to impair or deny others retained by 



436 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

the people ; and all powers not herein delegated 
remain with the people. 



ARTICLE IL 

Legislative Department. 

Section 1, The legislative authority shall be 
vested, in two distinct branches, both dependent on 
the people, to-wit : A Senate and a House of Rep- 
resentatives. 

Sec. 2. The Senate and House of Representa- 
tives shall meet biennially on the first Wednesday 
after the first Monday in January next after their 
election ; and when assembled shall be denominated 
the General Assembly. Neither House shall pro- 
ceed upon public business unless a majority of all 
the members are actually present. 

Sec. 3. The Senate shall be composed of fifty 
Senators, biennially chosen by ballot. 

Sec. 4. The Senate Districts shall be so altered 
by the General Assembly, at the first session after 
the return of every enumeration by order of Con- 
gress, that each Senate District shall contain, as 
near as may be, an equal number of inhabitants 
excluding aliens and Indians not taxed, and shall 
remain unaltered until the return of another enum- 
eration, and shall at all times consist of contiguous 
territory ; and no country shall be divided in the 
formation of a Senate District, unless such county 
shall be equitably entitled to two or more Senators. 

Sec. 5. The House of Representatives shall be 



Constitution of North Carolina. 437 

Composed of one hundred and twenty Representa- 
tives, biennially chosen by ballot, to be elected by 
the counties respectively, according to their popu- 
lation, and each county shall have at least one 
Representative in the House of Representatives, 
although ]t may not contain the requisite ratio of 
representation; this apportionment shall be made 
by the General Assembly at the respective times 
and periods when the districts for the Senate are 
hereinbefore directed to be laid off. 

Sec. 6. In making the apportionment in the 
House of Representatives, the ratio of representa- 
tion shall be ascertained by dividing the amount 
•of the population of the State, exclusive of that 
tomprehended within those counties which do not 
'severally contain the one hundred and twentieth 
part of the population of the State, by the number 
•of Representatives, less the number assigned to 
isuch counties; and in ascertaining the number of 
the population of the State, aliens and Indians not 
tax'ed shall not be included. To each county con- 
taining the said ratio, and not twice the said ratio 
there shall be assigned one Representative ; to each 
county Containing twice but not three times the 
said ratio, there shall be assigned two Representa- 
tives, and so 'on progressively, and then the re- 
maining Representatives shall be assigned sever- 
ally to the counties having the largest fractions. 

Sec. 7. Each member of the Senate shall not be 
less than twenty-five years of age, shall have 
resided in the State as a citizen two years, and 
•shall have usually resided in the district for which 



43g A Child's History of North CaroIiiiS,- 

he is chosen one year immediately preceding hi§ 
election. 

Sec. 8. Each member of the House of Repre- 
sentatives shall be a qualified elector of the State; 
and shall have resided in the county for which he 
is chosen for one year immediately preceding his^ 
election. 

Sec. 9. In the election of all officers, v/hose ap- 
pointment shall be conferred upon the General 
Assembly by the Constitution, the vote shall be^ 
viva voce. 

Sec. 10. The General Assembly shall have' 
powder to pass general laws regulating divorce and 
alimony, but shall not have power to grant a' 
divorce or secure alimony in any individual case. 

Sec. 11. The General Assembly shall not have 
power to pass any private law to alter the name 
of any person or to legitimate any person not 
born in lawful wedlock, or to restore to the rights 
of citizenship any person convicted of an infamous^ 
crime, but shall have power to pass general laws-" 
regulating the same. 

Sec. 12. The General Assembly shall not pass" 
any private law, unless it shall be made to appear 
thirty days*^ notice of application to pass such ^ 
law shall have been given, under such directKMs 
and in such manner as shall be provided by faw. 

Sec. 13. If vacancies shall occur in the General 
Assembly by death, resignation or otherwise, writs 
of election shall be issued by the Governor under 
such regulations as may be prescribed by law. 



Constitution of North Carolina. 439 

cessors are elected and qualified ; Provided, that the 
officers first elected shall assume the duties of their 
office ten days after the approval of this Constitu- 
tion by the Congress of the United States, and 
shall hold their offices four years from after the 
first day of January. 

Sec. 2. No person shall be eligible as Governor 
or Lieutenant-Governor, unless he shall have at- 
tained the age of thirty years, shall have been a 
citizen of the United States five years, and shall 
have been a resident of this State for two years 
next before the election; nor shall the person 
elected to either of these two offices be eligible to 
the same office more than four years in any term 
of eight years unless the office shall have been cast 
tipon him as Lieutenant-Governor or President of 
the Senate. 

Sec. 3. The return of every election for offi.cers 
of the Executive Department shall be sealed up 
and transmitted to the seat of government by the 
returning officers, directed to the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, who shall open and pub- 
lish the same in the presence of a majority of the 
members of both Houses of the General Assembly. 
The persons having the highest number of votes 
respectively shall be declared duly elected ; but if 
two or more be equal and highest in vote for the 
same office, then one of them shall be chosen by 
joint ballot of both Houses of the General Assem- 
bly. Contested elections shall be determined by a 
joint ballot of both Houses of the General Assem- 
bly, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law. 



440 A Child's History of North Carolina.^ 

Sec. 4. The Governor, before entering upon the' 
duties of his office, shall, in the presence of the 
members of both branches of the General Assem- 
bly, or before any Justice of the Supreme Courts 
take an oath or affirmation that he will support the' 
Constitution and laws of the United States, and 
of the State of North Carolina, and that he will 
faithfully perform the duties appertaining to the" 
office of Governor to which he has been elected. 

Sec. 5. The Governor shall reside at the seat 
of government of this State, and he shall, from' 
time to time, give the General Assembly informa-~ 
tion of the afifairs of the tSate, and recommend tO' 
^beir consideration such measures as he sliall deem' 
expedient. 

Sec. 6. The Governor shall have power fo grant 
reprieves, commutations and pardons, after convic-- 
tibn% for all offences (except in case of impeach-- 
ment). Upon such conditions as he may think 
proper, subject to such regulations as may be pro- 
vided by law relative to the manner of applying for 
pardons. He shall biennially communicate to the 
General Assembly each case of reprieve, commuta- 
tion or pardon granted, stating the name of each 
convict, the crime for which he was convicted, the' 
sentence and its date, the date of commutati<)~n',- 
pardon or reprieve, and the reasons therefor. 

Sec. 7. The officers of the Executive depart- 
ment and of the public institutions' of the State 
shall, at least five days previous to each regular 
session of the General Assembly, severally report 
to the Governor, who shall transmit such reports, 




Confederate Monument, WVldon. N. C. 



Constitution of North Carolina. 441 

Vi^ith his message, to the General Assembly; and 
the Governor may, at any time, require informa- 
tion in writing from the officers in the Executive 
Department upon any subject relating to the duties 
of their respective offices^ and shall take care that 
the law^s be faithfully executed. 

Sec, 8, The Governor shall be Commander-in-^ 
Chief of the militia of the State, except when they 
shall be called into the service of the United 
States. 

Sec. 9. The Governor shall have power, on ex- 
traordinary occasions, by and with the advtce of 
the Council of State, to convene the General As- 
sembly in extra session by his proclamation, stat- 
ing therein the purpose or purpo&es for which they 
are thus convened. 

Sec. 10. The Governor shall nominate, and by 
and with the advice and consent of a majority of 
the Senators elect, appoint all officers, whose offices 
are established by this Constitution, and whose 
appointments are not otherwise provided for. 

Sec. 11. The Lieutenant-Governor shall be- 
President of the Senate, but shall have no vote 
unless the Senate be equally divided. . He .-hall, 
whilst acting as President of the Senate, receive 
for his services the same pay which shall, for the 
Same period, be allowed to the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives; and he shall receive nd 
other compensation except when be is acting as 
Governor. 

Sec. 12. In case of the impeachment of the 
Governor, his failure to qualify, his absence front 



442 A Child^s History of North Carolina. 

the State, his inability to discharge the duties oi 
his office, or, in case the office of Governor shall in 
anywise become vacant, the powers, duties and 
emoluments of the office shall devolve upon the 
Lieutenant-Governor until the disabilities shall 
cease, or a new Governor shall be elected and qual- 
ified. In every case in which the Lieutenant- 
Governor shall be unable to preside over the Sen- 
ate, the Senators shall elect one of their own num= 
ber President of their body, and the powers, duties 
and emoluments of the office of Governor shall de- 
volve upon him whenever the Lieutenant-Governor 
shall, for any reason, be prevented from discharg- 
ing the duties of such office as above provided, 
and he shall continue as acting-Governor until the 
disabilities are removed, or a new Governor of 
Lieutenant-Governor shall be elected and qualified. 
Whenever, during the recess of the General Assem= 
bly, it shall become necessary for the President of 
the Senate to administer the government, the Sec- 
retary of State i^hall convene the Senate, that they 
may elect such President. 

Sec. 13. The respective duties of the Secretary 
of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Superintendent of 
Public Instruction and Attorney-General shall be 
prescribed by law. If the office of any of the offi- 
cers shall be vacated by death, resignation or other- 
wise, it shall be the duty of the Governor to ap- 
point another until the disability be removed or his 
successor be elected and qualified. Every such 
Vacancy shall be filled by election at the first 
general election that occurs more than thirty days 



Constitution of North Carolina. 443 

after the vacancy has taken place, and the person 
chosen shall hold the office for the remainder of 
the unexpired term fixed in the first section of 
this Article, 

Sec. 14, The Secretary of State, Auditor, Trcas- 
Urer and Superintendent of Public Instruction shall 
constitute, ex officio, the Council of State, who 
shall advise the Governor in the execution of his 
office, and three of w^hom shall constitute a quo- 
rum; their advice and proceedings in this capacity 
shall be entered in a journal to be kept for thi^ 
purpose exclusively, and signed by the members 
present, from any part of w^hich any member may 
enter his dissent; and such journal shall be placed 
before the General Assembly when called for by 
either House. The Attorney-General shall be, dx- 
officio, the legal adviser of the Executive Depart- 
ment. 

Sec. 15. The officc^rs mentioned in this Article 
shall, at stated periods, receive for their services a 
compensation to be established by lav^, which shall 
neither be increased nor diminished during the 
time for which they shall have been elected, and 
the said officers shall receive no other emolument 
Of allowance. 

See. 16. There shall be a seal of the State, 
which shall be kept by the Governor, and used by 
him, as Occasion may require, and shall be called 
''the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina." 
All grants and commissions shall be entered in the 
name and by the authority of the State of North 
Carolina, sealed v, ith the "Great Seal of the State/' 



444 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

signed by the Goernor and countersigned by the 
Secretary of State. 

Sec. 17. The General Assembly shall establish a 
Department of Agriculture, Immigration and Sta- 
tistics, under such regulations as may best pro- 
mote the agricultural interests of the State, and 
shall enact laws for the adequate protection and 
encouragement of sheep husbandry. 



ARTICLE IV. 
Judicial Department. 

Section 1. The distinctions between actions at 
law and suits in equity, and the forms of all such 
actions and suits, shall be abolished ; and there 
shall be in this State but one form of action for the 
enforcement or protection of private rights or the 
redress of private wrongs, which shall be denomi- 
nated a civil action ; and every action prosecuted 
by the people of the State as a party, against a 
person charged with a public offence, for the pun- 
ishment of the same, shall be termed a criminal 
action. Feigned issues shall also be abolished, and 
the fact at issue tried by order of Court before a 
jury. 

Sec. 2. The judicial power of the State shall be 
vested in a Court for the trial of Impeachments, a 
Supreme Court, Superior Courts, Courts of Justices 
of the Peace, and such other courts inferior to the 
Supreme Court as may be established by law. 



Constitution of North Carolina. 445 

Sec. 3. The Court for the trial of Impeachments 
shall be the Senate. A majority of the members 
shall be necessary to a quorum, and the judgment 
shall not extend beyond removal from and dis- 
qualification to hold office in this State ; but the 
party shall be liable to indictment and punishment 
according to law. 

Sec. 4. The House of Representatives solely 
shall have the power of impeaching. No person 
shall be convicted without the concurrence of two- 
thirds of the Senators present. When the Governor 
is impeached, the Chief-Justice shall preside. 

Sec. 5. Treason against the State shall consist 
only in levying war against it, or in adhering to 
its enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No per- 
son shall be convicted of treason unless on the 
testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act 
or on confession in open court. No conviction of 
treason or attainder shall work corruption of blood 
or forfeiture. 

Sec. 6. The Supreme Court shall consist of a 
Chief-Justice and two Associate Justices. 

Sec. 7. The terms of the Supreme Court shall 
be held in the city of Raleigh, as now, until other- 
wise provided by the General Assembly. 

Sec. 8. The Supreme Court shall have jurisdic- 
tion to review, upon appeal, any decision of the 
courts below, upon any matter of law or legal in- 
ference. And the jurisdiction of said Court over 
"issues of fact" and "questions of fact" shall be the 
s^me exercised by it before the adoption of the 
Constitution of one thousand eight hundred and 



446 A Child^s History of North Carolina. 

sixty-eight, and the Court shall have the power to 
issue any remedial writs necessary to give it a 
general supervision and control over the proceed- 
ings of the inferior courts. 

Sec. 9. The Supreme Court shall have original 
jurisdiction to hear claims against the State, but 
its decisions shall be merely recommendatory; no 
process in the nature of execution shall issue there- 
on ; they shall be reported to the next session of 
the General Assembly for its action. 

Sec. 10. The State shall be divided into nine 
judicial districts, for each of which a Judge shall 
be chosen ; and there shall be held a Superior 
Court in each county at least twice in each year 
to continue for such time in each county as may 
be prescribed by law. But the General Assembly 
may reduce or increase the number of districts. 

Sec. 11. Every Judge of the Superior Court 
shall reside in the district for which he is elected. 
The Judges shall preside in the Courts of the dif- 
ferent districts successively, but no Judge shall 
hold the Courts in the same district oftener than 
once in four years ; but in the case of the pro 
tracted illness of the Judge assigned to preside in 
any district, or of any other unavoidable accident 
to him by reason of which he shall be unable to 
preside, the Governor may require any Judge to 
hold one or more specified terms in said districts 
in lieu of the Judge assigned to hold the Courts 
of the said districts. 

Sec. 12. The General Assembly shall have no 
power to deprive the Judicial Department of any 



Constitution of North Carolina. 447 

power or jurisdiction which rightfully pertains to 
it as a co-ordinate department of the government ; 
but the General Assembly shall allot and distrib- 
ute that portion of this power and jurisdiction, 
which does not pertain to the Supreme Court, 
among the other courts prescribed in this Constitu- 
tion or which may be established by law, in such 
manner as it may deem best ; provide also a proper 
system of appeals; and regulate by law, when nec- 
essary, the methods of proceeding in the exercise 
of their power, of all the courts below the Su- 
preme Court, so far as the same may be done 
without conflict with other provisions of this Con- 
stitution. 

Sec. 13. In all issues of fact, joined in any 
court, the parties may waive the right to have the 
same determined by a jury: in which case the find- 
ing of the Judge upon the facts shall have the force 
and effect of a verdict by a jury. 

Sec. 14. The General Assembly shall provide 
for the establishment of Special Courts for the 
trial of misdemeanors, in cities and towns where 
the same may be necessary. 

Sec. 15. The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall 
be appointed by the Court, and shall hold his office 
for eight years. 

Sec. 16. A Clerk of the Superior Court for each 
county shall be elected by the qualified voters 
thereof, at the time and in the manner prescribed 
bv law for the election of members of the General 
Assembly. 



448 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Sec. 17. Clerks of the Superior Courts shall 
hold their offices for four years. 

Sec. 18. The General Assembly shall prescribe 
and regulate the fees, salaries and emoluments of 
all oflicers provided for in this Article ; but the 
salaries of the Judges shall not be diminished dur- 
ing their continuance in office. 

Sec. 19. The laws of North Carolina, not re- 
pugnant to this Constitution, or the Constitution 
and laws of the United States, shall be in force 
until lawfully altered. 

Sec. 20. Actions at law, and suits in equity, 
pending wh-en this Constitution shall go into effect, 
shall be transferred to the courts having jurisdic- 
tion thereof, without prejudice by reason of the 
change; and all such actions and suits commenced 
before, and pending at the adoption by the General 
Assembly of the rules and practice and procedure 
herein provided for, shall be heard and determined 
according to the practice now in use, unless other- 
wise provided for by said rules. 

Sec. 21. The Justices of the Supreme Court 
shall be elected by the qualified voters of the State, 
as is provided for the election of members of the 
General Assembly. They shall hold their offices 
for eight years. The Judges of the Superior 
Courts, elected at the first election under this 
amendment, shall be elected in like maner as is 
provided for Justices of the Supreme Court, and 
shall hold their offices for eight years. The Gen- 
eral Assembly may, from time to time, provide by 
law that the Judges of the Superior Courts, chosen 



Constitution of North Carolina. 449 

'at succeeding elections, instead of being elected by 
the voters of the whole State, as is herein provided 
for, shall be elected by the voters of their respec- 
tive districts. 

Sec 22, The Superior Courts shall be, at all 
times, open for the transaction of all business with- 
in their jurisdiction, except the trial of issues of 
fact requiring a jury. 

Sec. 23. A Solicitor shall, be elected for each 
Judicial District by the qualified voters thereof, as 
.is prescribed for members of the General Assem- 
bly, who shall hold office for the term of four 
years, and prosecute on behalf of the State, in all 
criminal actions in the. Superior Courts, and advise 
the officers of justice in his district. 

Sec. 24. In each county a Sheriff and Coroner 
■shall be elected by tlie qualified voters thereof, as 
is prescribed for members of the General Assembly. 
and shall hold their offices for tw^o years. In each 
township there shall be a Constable elected in like 
manner by the voters tliereof, who shall hold his 
office for two years. When there is no Coroner in 
the county, the Cleric of the Superior Court .for the 
county may appoint one for special cases. In. case 
of. a vacancy existing for any cause in any of the 
offices ercated by this section, the Commissioners 
for the county may appoint to such office for the 
unexpired term. 

Sec. 25. All vacancies occurring in the .offices 
provided for by this Article of the Constitution 
shall be filled by the appointments of the Gov- 
ernor, unless otherwise provided for, nnd the ap- 



450 A Child's History of North Carolina, 

pointees shall hold their places until the next reg- 
ular election for members of the General Assembly, 
when elections shall be held to fill such offices. It 
any person, elected or appointed to any of said 
offices, shall neglect and fail to qualify, such office 
shall be appointed to, held and filled as provided 
in case of vacancies occurring therein. All incum- 
bents of said offices shall hold until their success- 
ors are qualified. 

Sec. 26. The officers elected at the first election 
held under this Constitution shall hold their offices 
for the terms prescribed for them respectively, 
next ensuing after the next regular election for 
members of the General Assembly. But their 
terms shall begin upon the approval of this Con- 
stitution by the Congress of the United States. 

Sec. 27. The several Justices of the Peace shall 
have jurisdiction, under such regulations as the 
General Assembly shall prescribe, of civil actions 
founded on contract, wherein the sum demanded 
shall not exceed two hundred dollars, and wherein 
the title to real estate shall not be in controversy; 
and of all criminal matters arising within their 
counties where the punishment cannot exceed a 
fine of fifty dollars, or imprisonement for thirty 
days. And the General Assembly may give to 
Justices of the Peace jurisdiction of other civil ac- 
tions wherein the value of the property in contro- 
versy does not exceed fifty dollars. When an issue 
of fact may be joined before a Justice, on demand 
of either party thereto, he shall cause a jury of six 
men to be summoned, who shall try the same." The 



Constitution of North Carolina. 451 

party against whom judgment shall be rendered in 
any civil action may appeal to the Superior Court 
from the same. In all cases of a criminal nature,. 
the party against whom judgment is given may 
appeal to the Superior Court, where the matter 
shall be heard anew. In all cases brought before a 
Justice he shall make a record of the proceedings, 
and file the same with the Clerk of the Superior 
Court for his county. 

Sec. 28. When the office of Justice of the Peace 
shall become vacant otherwise than by expiration 
of the term, and in case of a failure by the voters 
of any district to elect, the Clerk of the Superior 
Court for the county shall appoint to fill the 
vacancy for the unexpired term. 

Sec. 29, In case the office of Clerk of a Superior 
Court for a county shall become vacant otherwise 
than by the expiration of the term, and in case of 
a failure by the people to elect, the Judge of the 
Superior Court for the county shall appoint to fill 
the vacancy until an election can be regularly held. 

Sec, 30. In case the General Assembly shall es- 
tablish other courts inferior to the Supreme Court, 
the presiding officers and clerks thereof shall be 
elected in such manner as the General Assembly 
may from time to time prescribe, and they shall 
hold their offices for a term not exceeding 'eight 
years. 

Sec. 31. Any Judge of the Supreme Court, or of 
the Superior Courts, and the presiding officers of 
such courts inferior to the Supreme Court, as may 
beestablishcd bv. law, mav be removed from office 



452 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

for mental or physical inability, upon a concurrent 
resolution of two-thirds of both Houses of the 
General Assembly. The Judge or presiding officer 
against whom the General Assembly may be about 
to proceed, shall receive notice thereof, accom- 
panied by a copy of the causes alleged for his 
removal, at least twenty days before the day on 
which either House of the General Assembly shall 
act thereon. 

Sec. 32. Any Clerk of the Supreme Court, or of 
the Superior Courts, or of such courts inferior to 
the Supreme Court as may be established by law 
may be removed from office for mental or physical 
inability ; the Clerk of the Supreme Court by the 
Judges of said courts, the Clerks of the Superior 
Courts by the Judge riding the district, and the 
Clerks of such courts inferior to the Supreme Court 
as may be established by law, by the presiding 
officers of said courts. The Clerk against whom 
proceedings are instituted shall receive notice 
thereof, accompanied by a copy of the causes al- 
leged for his removal, at least ten days before the 
day appointed to act thereon, and the Clerk shall 
be entitled to an appeal to the next term of the 
Superior Court, and thence to the Supreme Court, 
as provided in other cases of appeals. 

Sec. 33. The amendments made to the Consti- 
tution of North Carolina by this Convention shall 
not have the effect to vacate any office or term of 
office now existing under the Constitution of the 
State, and filled, or held, by virtue of any election 



Constitution of North Carolina. 453 

of appointment under the said Constitution, and 
the laws of tlie State made in pursuance thereof. 



artici;e v. 

I^evenue and Taxation. 

Section 1. The General Assembly shall levy a 
capitation tax on every male inhabitants of the 
State over tv^enty-one and under fifty years of age, 
whicli shall be equal on each to the tax on prop- 
erty valued at three hundred dollars in cash. The 
commissioners of the several counties may exempt 
from capitation tax in special cases on account of 
poverty and infirmity, and the State and county 
tapitation tax combined shall never exceed two 
dollars on the head. 

Sec. 2. The proceeds of the State and county 
tapitation tax shall be applied to the purposes of 
education and the support of the poor, but in no 
one yeaf slial'l more than twenty-iiive per cent, 
thereof be appropriated to the latter purpose. 

Set. ^. Laws shall be passed taxing, by a uni- 
form fulc, all moneys, credits, investments in 
bonds, stocks, joint-stock companies, or otherwise ; 
and, also, all real and personal property, according 
to its true value in money. The General Assembly 
may also tax trades, professions, franchises and 
incomes, provided that no income shall be taxed 
when the property from wdiich the income is de- 
rived is taxed. 

•Sec. 4. Until the bonds of the State shall be at 



454 A Child's History of North Carolinsi^ 

par, the General Assembly shall have no power to" 
contract any new debt or pecuniary obligation in; 
behalf of the State, except to supply a casual 
deficit, or for suppressing fnvaston or insurrection' 
Unless it shall in the same bill levy a special tax 
to pay the interest annually. And the General As- 
sembly ghall have no power to give or lend the' 
credit of the State in aid of any person, association 
or corporation, except to aid in the completion of 
such railroads as may be unfinished at the time of 
the adoption of this Constitution, or in which the' 
State has a direct pecuniary interest, unfess the 
subject be submitted to a direct vote of the people' 
of the State, and be approved by a majority of 
those who shall vote thereon". 

Sec. 5. Property belonging to the State or to^ 
m:unicipal corporations shall be exempt from taxa-- 
titDn. The General Assembly may exempt ceme-- 
terieS, and property held for educational, scientific 
literary^ charitable or religious purposes ; also' 
wearing apparel, arms for muster, household and 
kitchen furniture, the mechanical and agricultural 
implements of mechanics and farmers ; libraries 
and scientific instruments, or any other personal 
property, to a value not exceeding three hundre<f 
dollars. 

Sec. 6. The taxes levied by the commissid"ners' 
of the several counties for county purposes shall 
be levied in like manner with the' State taxes, and 
shafl never exceed the dcuble of the State taxes, 
except for a special purpose, and with the specia.1 
approval of the General Assembly, 



Constitution of North Carolina. 455 

Sec. 7. Every act of the General Assembly 
levying a tax shall state the special object to v^^hich 
it is to be applied, and it shall be applied to no 
t)thef purposes 

ARTICLE VI. 

Suffrage and Eligibility to Office. 

Section I. Every male person born in the 
United States, and every mal'e person w^ho has 
been naturalized, twenty-one years old or upward, 
^vho shall have resided in the State twelve months 
'next preceding the election and ninety days in the 
tounty in which he offers to vote, shall be deemed 
^n elector. But no person, who, upon conviction 
t)r confession in Open court, shall be adjudged 
guilty of felony, or any other crime infamous by 
the laws of this "State, and hereafter committed 
shall be deemed an elector, unless such person shall 
be restored to the rights of citizenship in a manner 
prescribed by law. 

Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the General As- 
'scmbly to provide, from time to time, for the regis- 
tration of all electors; and no person shall be al- 
lowed to vote without registration, or to register 
without first taking an oath or affirmation to sup- 
port and maintain the Constitution and laws of the 
tJmted States, and the Constitution and law^s of 
North Carobna not inconsistent therewith. 

Sec. 3. All elections by the people shall he by 
hallot, and all elections by the General Assembly 
shall be viva voce. 



456 A Child's History of North CaroIindV 

Sec. 4. Every voter, except as hereinafter pro>. 
•vided, shall be eligible to office; but before enter- 
ing upon the discharge of the duties of his office*, 
he shall take and subscribe the following oath: "I, 

- — ■ — - — , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I~ 

will support and maintain the Constitution and 
laws of the United States, and the Constitution' 
and laws of North Carolina not inconsistent there^ 
with, and that I will faithfully discharge the' duties- 
of my office. So help me, God.'^ 

Sec. 5. The following classes of persons shall 
be disqualified for office : First, all persons who' 
shall deny the being of Almighty God. Second; 
All persons who shall have been convicted of trea-^ 
sen, perjury, or of any other infamous crime, since' 
becoming citizens of the United States, or of cor-^ 
ruption, or malpractice in office, unless such person' 
shall have been' legally restored id the rights of 
citizenship- 

ARTICLE VI I. 
Municipal Corporations. 

Section 1. In each county, there shall be ekcted 
biennially by the qualified voters thereof, as pro- 
vided for the election of members of the Genera? 
Assembly, the following officers: a Treasurer; 
Register of Deeds^ Surveyor and five Comm-is-^ 
sioners. 

Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the CoTtfmission- 
ers to exercise a general supervision and control 
of the penal and charitable institutions, schools. 
roads, bridges, levying of taxes and finances of the 
county, as may be prescribed by law. The Regi^-r 



Constitution of North Carolina. 4iT 

t€r of Deeds shall be, ex officio, Clerk of the Board 
of Commissioners. 

Sec. 1 It shall be tbe duty of the Commission^ 
ers first elected in each county to divide the samef 
into convenient districts, to determine the boun-^ 
daries and prescribe the name of tbe said districts,: 
and to report tbe same to the General Assembly 
before the first day of January, one thousand eight 
hundred and sixty-nine. 

Sec. 4. Upon the approval of the reports pro^ 
vided for in tbe foregoing section, by the General 
Assembly, tbe said districts shall have corporate? 
powders for tbe necessary purposes of local gov^ 
ernment, and shall be known aS tovv^nhips. 

Sec. S. in eacb tov^nsbip tbere sball be bien- 
nially elected, by tbe qualified voters thereof, a 
Clerk and tv^o Justices of tbe Peace, v^ho shall 
constitute a Board of Trustees, and shall, undei' 
the supervision of tbe County Commissioners, hatve 
control of tbe taxes and finances, roads dnd bridges 
6f tbe townships, as may be prescribed by law. 
The General Assembly may provide for tbe elec- 
tion of a larger numbef of the Justices of the? 
Peace in cities arid townS. and in those townships 
in which cities aild towils are situated. In every 
township tbere sball also be biennially elected ^ 
School Committee, consisting of tbree persons, 
whose duty sball be prescribed by laW. 

Sec. 6. The Township l)oard of Trustees shall 
assess the taxable propertv of their townships and 
make retifirn to the County Gommlssioncjrs for re-^ 



4S8 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

vision, as may b^ prescribed by law. The Clerk 
&hall be, ex officio. Treasurer of the township. 

Sec. 7. No county, city, town or other munici- 
pal corporation shall contract any debt, pledge its 
faith, or loan its credit, nor shall any tax be levied 
br collected by any officers of the same, except fof 
the necessary expenses thereof, unless by a vote of 
^ majority of the qualified voters therein. 

Sec. §. No money shall be drawn from any 
tounty or township treasury except by authority 
bf law. 

Sec. ^. All taxes levied by any county, city, 
town, or township, shall be uniform and ad valo^ 
i-em, Upon all property in the same, except prop^ 
erty exempted by this Constitution. 

See. 10. The County officers first elected undef 
the provisions of this Article shall enter upon their 
duties ten days after the approval of this Consti- 
tution by the Congress of the United States. 

Sec. 11. The Governor shall appoint a suffi- 
cient number of Justices of the Peace in each 
county, who shall hold their places until sections 
four, five and six of this Article shall have been 
carried into effect. 

Sec. 12. All charters. Ordinances and provisions 
relating to municipal corporations shall remain in 
force Until legally changed, Unless inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Constitution. 

Sec. 13. Nb county, city, town or other munic- 
ipal corporation shall assume to pay, nor shall any 
tax be levied or collected fof the payment of any 
debt) or the interest upon any debt, contracted 



Constitution of North Carolina. 45^ 

directly or indirectly in aid or support of Xhd 
tebellion. 

Sec. 14. The General Ass^embly shall have Yull 
power by statute to modify, change, of abridge 
any and all of the provisions of this Article and 
iyubstitute others in their plac^y except section^ 
&even, nine and thirteen/ 

ARTICLE Vlfl, 
Corporations Other Than MunicipaL 

Sec. 1. Corporations tnay be formed under geri' 
eral laws; but shall not be created by special act, 
except for municipal purposes, and irl cases where?, 
in the judgment of the Legislature, the object of 
the corporations cannot be attained under general 
laws. All e;eneral laws and special acts, passed 
pursuant to this section, may be' altered from time' 
to time, or repealed. 

Sec. 2. Dues from corporations shalr be seCUfe'd 
by such individual liabilities of the corporation and 
other meafls, aS may ht prescribed by law. 

Sec. S. The term corporation, as uSe'd in this 
Article, shall be construed to include all associa- 
tiori and joint-stock companies, having ariy of the! 
powers and privileges of corporations, not pos- 
S'cssed by individuals or partnerships. And all cor- 
porations shall have the right to sue, and shall bd 
subject to be Sued in all courts, in like cases as 
natural persons. 

Sec. 4. Tn shall be the duty of the Legislature 
to provide for the organization of cities, tOWiis and 



466 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

incorporated villager, and to festrict their powef 
of taxation, aSb;esi=iment, borrowing money, con- 
tracting debts, and loaning their credits, so as id 
prevent abuses in assessment and in Corltracting 
debts by Such municipal corpOfatioriSi 

Article ix. 

^ducatiori. 

Section i. Religion, morality and knowledge 
being necessary to good government and the hap^ 
pinesS of mankind, schools and the means of edu^ 
tation shall forever be encouraged. 

Site, 2. The general Assembly, at the first ses- 
sion under this Constitution, shall provide by taxa^ 
lion and otherwise, for a general and uniform sys^ 
tem of public schools, wherein tuition shall be free 
bf charge to all the children of the State between 
the ages of six and twenty-one years. And the 
children of the white race and the children of the 
tolored race shall be taught in separate publie 
Schools ; but there shall be no discrimination in 
' favor of, or to the prejudice of, either race. 

Sec. 3. Each county of the State shall be divid- 
ed into a Convenient number of districts, in which 
One bt more public schools shall be maintained at 
least foUf months in every year; and if the Com- 
missioners of any county shall fail to comply with 
the aforesaid requirements of this section they 
shall be liable to indictment. 

Sec. 4. The proceeds of all lands that have been 
t)r hereafter may be granted by the United States 



Constitution of North Carolina. 461 

to this State, and not otherwise appropriated by 
this State or the United States; also, all moneys 
stocks, bonds, and other property, now belonging 
to any State fund for purposes of education ; also 
the net proceeds of all sales of the swamp lands 
belonging to the State, and all other grants, gifts 
or devises that have been or hereafter may be 
made to the State, and not otherwise appropriated 
by the State, or by the term of the grant, gift or 
devise, shall be paid into the State treasury; and., 
together with so much of the ordinary revenue of 
the State as may be by law set apart for that pur- 
pose, shall be faithfully appropriated for establish- 
ing and maintaining in this State a system of free 
public schools, and for no other uses or purposes 
whatsoever. 

Sec. 5. All moneys, stocks, bonds, and other 
property, belonging to a county school fund ; also, 
the net proceeds from the sale of estrays ; also, the 
clear proceeds of all penalties and forfeitures, and 
of all fines collected in the several counties for any 
breach of the penal or military laws of the State; 
and all moneys which shall be paid by persons as 
an equivalent for exemption from military duty 
shall belong to and remain in the several counties, 
and shall be faithfully appropriated for establish- 
ing and maintaining free public schools in the sev- 
eral counties of this State : Provided, That the 
amount collected in each county shall be annually 
reported to the Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion. 

Sec. 6. The General Assembly shall have power 



462 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

to 'provide for the election of Trustees of the Uni-" 
versity of North Carolina, in whom, when chosen, 
shall be vested all the privileges, rights, franchises 
and endowments thereof, in anywise granted to or 
conferred upon the Trustees of said University; 
and the General Assembly may make such provi- 
sions, laws and regulations from time to time,' as' 
may be necessary and expedient for the mainte- 
nance and management of said University. 

See. 7-. The General Assembly shall provide 
that the benefits of the University, as far as prac-" 
ticable, be extended to the youth of the State free 
of expense for tuition; also, that all the property 
which has heretofore accrued to the State, or shall 
hereafter accrue, from escheats, unclaimed divi- 
dends, or distributive shares of the estates of de- 
ceased persons, shall be appropriated to the use 
of the University. 

Sec. 8. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor 
Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction and Attorney-Gen- 
eral shall constitute a State Board of Education. 

Sec. 9. The Governor shall be President, and 
the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall be 
S^ecretary of the Board of Education. 

Sec. 10. The Board of Education shall succeed 
to all the powers and trusts of the President and 
Directors of the Literary Fund of North Carolina 
and shall have full power to legislate and make all 
needful rules and regulations in relation to free 
public schools and the educational fund of the 
State; but all acts, rules and regulations of said 



Constitution of North Carolina. 463 

Board may be altered, amended or repealed by the 
General Assembly, and when so altered, amended 
or repealed, they shall not be re-enacted by the 
Board. 

Sec. 11. The first session of the Board of Edu- 
cation shall be held at the capitol of the State, 
within fifteen days after the organization of the 
State government under this Constitution; the 
time of future meetings may be determined by the 
Board. 

Sec. 12. A majority of the Board shall consti- 
tute a quorum for the transaction of business. 

Sec. 13. The contingent expenses of the Board 
shall be provided by the General Assembly. 

Sec. 14. As soon as practicable after the adop- 
tion of this Constitution, the General Assembly 
shall establish and maintain, in connection with 
the University, a Department of Agriculture, of 
Mechanics, of Mining, and of Normal Instruction. 

Sec. 15. The General Assembly is hereby cm- 
powered to' enact that every child, of sufficient 
mental and physical ability, shall attend the pub- 
lic schools during the period between the ages of 
six and eighteen years for a term not less- than 
sixteen'months, unless educated by other means. 

ARTICLE X. 

Homestead and Exemptions. 

Section 1. The personal property of any resi- 
dent of this State, to the value of five hundred 
dollars, to be selected by such resident, shall 'be, 



454 A Child's History of North Carolina, 

and is hereby exempted from sale under execution, 
or other final process of any court issued for the 
collection xyi any debt. 

Sec, 2, Every homestead, and the dwellings and 
buildings used therewith, not exceeding in value 
one thousand dollars, to be selected by the owner 
th^ereo^, x)t in lieu thereof, at the option of the 
•owner, any lot in a city, town or village, with the 
dwellings and buildings used thereon, owned and 
^occupied by any resident of this State, and not 
exceeding the value of one thousand dollars, shall 
be exempt from sale under execution, or other 
final process obtained on any debt. But no prop- 
*erty shall be exempt from sale for taxes, or for 
payment of obligations contracted for the pur- 
chase of said premises. 

Sec, 3. The homestead, after the death of the 
bwner thereof, shall be exempt from the pay- 
ment of any debt during the minority of his chil- 
dren or any one of them. 

Sec. 4. The provisions of sections one and two 
of l;liis Article shall not be so construed as to pre; 
vent a laborer's Hen for work done and performed 
for the person claiming such exemption, or a 
mechanic's lien for work done on the premises. 

Sec. 5. If the owner o^ a homestead die, leaving 
a widow, but no children, the same shall be ex- 
empt from the debts of her husband, and the rents 
and profits thereof shall inure to her benefit dur- 
ing her wido.whood, unless she be the owner of a 
homestead in her own right. 

feec. 6. The real and personal property of any 



Constitution of North Carolina. 465 

female in this State acquired before marriage, and 
all property, real and personal, to which she may, 
after marriage, become in any manner entitled, 
shall be and remain the sole and separate estate 
and property of such female, and shall not be 
liable for any debts, obligations or engagements 
of her husband, and may be devised and be- 
queathed, and, with the written consent of her 
husband, conveyed by her as if she was unmar- 
ried. 

Sec. 7. The husband may insure his own life 
for the sole use and benefit of his wife and chil- 
dren, and in the case of the death of the husband 
the amount thus insured shall be paid over to his 
wife and children, or to the guardian, if under age 
for her, or their own use. free from all the claims 
of the representatives of her husband, or any of 
his creditors. 

Sec. 8. Nothing contained in the foregoing sec- 
tions of this Article shall operate to prevent the 
owner of a homestead from disposing of the same 
by deed; but no deed made by the owner of a 
homestead shall be valid without the voluntary 
signature and assent of his wife, signified on her 
private examination according to law. 

ARTICLE XI. 

Punishments, Penal Institutions and Public 

Charities. 

Section 1. The following punishments only 

shall be known to the laws of this State, viz. : 

death, imprisonemcnt, with or without hard labor 



466 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

fines, removal from office, and disqualification to 
hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit 
under this State. The foregoing provisions for 
imprisonment with hard labor shall be construed 
to authorize the employment of such convict labor 
on public works or highways or other labor for 
public benefit, and the farming out thereof, where 
and in such manner as may be provided by law ; 
but no convict shall be farmed out who has been 
sentenced on a charge of murder, manslaughter 
rape, attempt to commit rape, or arson : Provided, 
That no convict whose labor may be farmed out 
shall be punished for any failure of duty as a 
laborer, except by a responsible officer of the 
State; but the convicts so farmed out shall be at 
all times under the supervision and control, as to 
their government and discipline, of the Peniten- 
tiary Board or some officer of this State. 

Sec. 2. The object of punishments being npt 
only to satisfy justice, but also to reform the of- 
fender, and thus prevent crime, murder, arson, 
burglary, and rape, and these only, may be punish- 
able with death, if the General Assembly shall so 
enact. 

Sec. 3. The General Assembly shall, at its first 
meeting, make provision for the erection and con- 
duct of a State's Prison or Penitentiary, at some 
central and accessible point within the State. 

Sec. 4. The General Assembly may provide for 
the erection of Plouses of Correction, where va- 
grants and persons guilty of misdemeanors shall 
be restrained and usefully employed. 



Constitution of North Carolina. 467 

Sec. 5. A House, or Houses of Refuge, may be 
established whenever the public interest may re- 
quire it, for the correction and instruction of other 
classes of offenders. 

Sec. 6. It shall be required, by competent leg- 
islation, that the structure and superintendence of 
penal institutions of the State, the county jails, and 
city police prisons, secure the health and comfort 
of the prisoners, and that male and female prison- 
ers be never confined in the same room or cell. 

Sec. 7. Beneficent provisions for the poor, the 
unfortunate and orphan being one of the first 
duties of a civilized and Christian State, the Gen- 
eral Assembly shall, at its first session, appoint 
and define the duties of a Board of Public Chari- 
ties, to whom shall be entrusted the supervision 
of all charitable and penal State institutions, and 
who shall annually report to the Governor upon 
their condition, with suggestions for their improve- 
ment. 

Sec. 8. There shall also, as soon as practicable 
be measures devised by the State, for the estab- 
lishment of one or more Orphan Houses, where 
destitute orphans may be cared for, educated and 
taught some business or trade. 

Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Legislature, 
as soon as practicable, to devise means for the edu- 
cation of idiots and inebriates. 

Sec. 10. The General Assembly may provide 
that the indigent deaf mutes, blind and insane of 
the State shall be cared tor at the charge of the 
State. 



468 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

Sec. 11. It shall be steadily kept in view by the 
Legislature, and the Board of Public Charities., 
that all penal and charitable institutions should be 
made as nearly self-supporting as is consistent with 
the purposes of their creation. 

ARTICLE XII. 
Militia. 

Section 1. All able-bodied male citizens of the 
State of North Carolina, between the ages of 
twenty-one and forty years, who are citizens of the 
United States, shall be liable to duty in the militia; 
Provided, That all persons who may be averse to 
bearing arms, from religious scruples, shall be ex- 
empt therefrom. 

Sec. 2. The General Assembly shall provide for 
the organization, arming, equipping and discipline 
of the militia, and for paying the same when called 
into active service. 

Sec. 3. The Governor shall be Commander-in- 
Chief, and shall have power to call out the militia 
to execute the law, suppress riots or insurrections 
and to repel invasion. 

Sec. 4. The General Assembly shall have power 
to make such exemptions as may be deemed neces- 
sary, and to enact laws that may be expedient for 
the government of the militia. 

ARTICLE XIII. 
Amendments. 

Section 1. No Convention of the people of this 
State shall ever be called by the General Assem- 



Constitution of North Carolina. 469 

bly, Unless by the concurrence of two-thirds of all 
the members of each House of the General Assem- 
bly, and except the proposition ''Convention" or 
'"No Convention" be first submitted to the quali- 
fied voters of the whole State, at the next general 
election, in a manner to be prescribed by law. 
And should a majority of the votes cast be in favor 
t)f said Convention, it shall assemble on such a 
day as may be prescribed by the General Assem- 
bly. 

Sec. 2. No part of the Constitution of this State 
shall be altered, unless a bill to alter the same 
shall have been agreed to by three-fifths of each 
House of the General Assembly. And the amend- 
ment of amendments so agreed to shall be sub- 
mitted at the next general election to the qualified 
voters of the whole State, in such manner as may 
be prescribed by law. And in the event of their 
adoption by a majority of the votes cast, such 
•amendment or amendments shall become a part of 
^he Constitution of this State. 

ARTICLE XIV. 
Miscellaneous. 

Section 1. All indictments whicb shall have 
been found, or may hereafter be found, for any 
crime of offence committed before this Constitution 
takes effect, may be proceeded upon in the proper 
courts, but no punishment shall be inflicted which 
is forbidden by this Constitution. 

Sec. 2. No person who shall hereafter fight a 



470 A Child's History o£ North Carolina, 

duel, or assist in the same as a second, or send, 
accept or knowingly carry a challenge therefor. Of 
agree to go out of the State to iight a duel, shall 
hold any office in this State. 

Sec. 3. No money shall be drawn from the 
treasury but in consequence of appropriations made 
by law ; and an accurate account of the receipts 
and expenditures of the public moneys shall be 
annually published. 

Sec. 4. The General Assembly shall provide, by 
proper legislation, for giving to mechanics and 
laborers an adequate lien on the subject matter of 
their labor. 

Sec. 5. In the absence of any contrary provi- 
sion, all officers of this State, whether heretofore 
elected or appointed by the Governor, shall hold 
their positions only Until other appointments are 
made by the Governor, or if the officers are elec- 
tive, until their successors shall have beeil chosen 
and duly qualified according to the provisions^ of 
this Constitution, > 

Sec. 6. The seat of government of this State 
shall remain at the City of Raleigh.- 

Sec. T. No person, w^ho shall hold any office or 
place of trust or profit under the United States or 
any department thereof, or under this State, or 
under any other State, or government, shalt fioid 
or exercise any other office or place of tfust or 
profit under the authority of this State, or be 
eligible to a seat in either House of the General 
Assembly : Provided, that nothing herein con- 
tained shall extend to officers in the militia. Jus- 



Constitution of North Carolina. 471 

ticcs of the Peace, Commissioners of Public Chari- 
ties, or commissioners for special purposes. 

Sec. 8. All marriages between a white person 
yand a negro> or between a white person and a 
person of negro descent to the third generation in- 
clusive, are hereby forever prohibited. 



Appendix il 

eOLONIAL GOVERNORS FROM THE Sfif* 
tLEMENl* to THE REVOLUTION 

1 1663 William Drummond 

2 1667 Samuel Stephens 

3 1674 George Carteret 

4 1677 Thomas Miller 

5 1677 John Culpepper 

6 1680 John Harvey \ 

7 1680 John Jenkins ' 

8 1681 Henry Wilkinson 

9 1683 Seth Southwell 
10 1685' Philip Liidw^li 

\ 11 1693 Alexander Lillingtori 

■- 12 1695 Thomas Harvey • 

13 1699 Henderson Walker 

14 1704 Robert Daniel 

15 1705 Thomas Carey 

16 1709 William Glover 

17 1710 Edward Hyde ' 
is 1713 Thomas Pollock 

i9 1714 Charles l^den 

20 1722 Thomas Pollock 

21 1722 Wiiilam Reed 

22 1724 George feurringtoil 
■; 23 1^25 Richard tiverafd 



4'^4 A Child's History o! North CaroliMv 

24 1729 Georg-e feurringtorl 

25 1734 Nathaniel Rice 

26 l734 Gabriel Johnston 

27 1753 Matthew Rowatl 

28 1754 Arthur Dobbs 

29 176S William Tryon 

30 1771 James Hasell 

31 1771 Josiah Martin 

GOVERNORS SINCE THE REVOLUTION 

1 1776 Richard Caswell 

2 1780 Abner Nash 

3 1781 Thomas Burk | 

4 1781 Alexander Martin 

5 1785 Richard Caswell 

6 1788 Samuel Johnston 

7 1790 Alexander Martin 

8 1792 Richard Dobbs Speight 
,9 1794 Samuel Ashe 

10 1798 William R. Davie 

I 11 1799 Benjamin Williams 

12 1802 James Turner 

13 1805 Nathaniel Alexander 

14 1807 Benjamin Williams 

15 1808 David Stone ; 

16 1810 Benjamin Smith 

17 1811 William Hawkins 

18 1814 William Miller 

19 1817 John Branch 

20 1820 Jesse Franklin 



Colonial Governors. 475 

21 1821 Grabiel Holmes 

22 1824 Hutchins G. Burton 

23 1827 James Iredell 

24 1828 James Oweil 

25 1830 Montford Stokeii 

26 1832 David L. Swain 

27 1835 Richard D. Spaighl 

28 1837 E. B. Dudley 

29 1840 J. M. Morehead 

30 1845 William A. Graham 

31 1849 Charles Manley 

32 1851 Daniel S. Reld 

33 1855 Thomas Bragg 

34 1859 John W. Ellis 

35 1861 Henry T. Clark 

36 1862 Zebulon B. Vanc6 

37 1865 William W. Holderi 

38 1866 Jonathan Work 

39 1868 William W. Holderi 

40 1870 Tod R. Caldwell 

41 1874 Curtis H. Bragderi 

42 1876 Zebulon B. Vance 

43 1879 T. J. Jarvis 

44 1884 Alfred M. Scales 

45 1888 Daniel G. Fowle 

46 1890 Thomas M. Holt 
A1 1893 Ellas Carr 

48 1897 Daniel L. Russell 

49 1901 Chas. B. Aycock 

50 1905 Robert B. Glenri 
Si 1909 W. W. Kitchirt 

52' 1913 Locke Craig > 



'5 CO 

o 



rvjioio-^ ir^ON^OO^OOOOOON^OOOOOio^OO^'^'O 
^r-sTiO oC i O fO OO'^i' On — '*0 O fO l^^.'^o"'^ (vf 'i" O fO On 00 



o ^ 



N 
•-00 

rt 00 



Oh 
O 

a. 
c 






oooot^t^<^i^i^f^r^t^i^t^oor^oot^t^t^oo\ooooooo 



X 
Q 

w 



ffi 



4J 



CO s 

S o 

o ^ 

O ^^ 

o 

CO "^ 

t—t ^ 



^3 






o3 Ci. 



be 



^ o t: c o oj S IS s u 






•^ T3 rt 



a; 



i> 






pi V 1^ 



G-^ 



(U O 
1^ 









•=P^rto!,53*iO^ 
CCrtP^u."-'''^ t/jC 

- ™ a; P >-J5^ p • 



m 



w 






03 
(J 03 






•- P 



p 



oj t- i: oj -c 

D ^ T^ 
= ^ !^ 



.^^^2 



Cu CJ P "3 ■ 






.ouw 



OJ 




P 

.2 


P 


15 


"T^ 


'U 


H- ( 


f/l 


Ol 


t-l 




03 




h-H 


o 


U 


u 


V 


n 


T3 


n 




C 
03 


rn 




u 


> 


u 


»- 


1- 
1) 





03 


^ 


^ 


pd, u:\uu 



1^ 

rt > OJ 
C p"C 



p 








_bfl 








Ui 




O 




be 




P 






-, Ui 


> 


<i^ a; 


^ 


u Jz. 


o 


*^ r- 


_c 


03 tn 


CO 


o; r- 03 

p P X 




Prt '^ ^ 








:^<< 



!r; >^ 



>,'^ 



ciD o aj »- p 



•a 5 



O 



<-> 03 r- „, P C^ 
<U^ j;— 03^ 

■*-• r3 c. 



P •-' 

— "p 

(U P 

>> > P 



^-pt«>(L><u^i-.PPo3o3c^oSo3o3~-C^,^,-0 



478 A Child's History of North Carolina. 

G 

.2-^'^fO'— •rJ-rfCVJVOO'— •rOroLOONr^rOt^vO'^OrO^O !OlooC,-i 
ct »y-5 C^l ^O 00 -rf CO "^^CVJ^O rO "O O '*,t^'-H O '^^ VO '-*^ O CVl^ '^ ■ OO^fO On ^ 

o 



N 

a3r^t^vooooooot^oot^oot^oot^oot^t>.t^t^oooooor^5^t^r^oot^ 















O 



Q 

l-H 

H 

O' « - - _- c 



CO <L» _ P S 



.'V '11 U d 







-a o 






List of Counties. 479 





3 On)" 3 ,-^ Oj 



00 V.I oi ON ^o o ^ On ^ oi oj 4^ I o "^ 00 ^ o o "^^ >' ti ;h ^ S ?. ^ ^^ 



o 

^O ^ ^ O ^ — ' Oi On vO '-ri -U t^ tsj Oj ^ -^ ^ ^ P ^ j^ 5^ J^ i^ 7"^ P° Cl. 

ON 4- On oj oo b V ON '^o '>- oj o Vj o o 'i^^ o ^^ Sj r;:; r" T i^ ^, J^ SI 

\0 vO Jt- 4^ Oi Cji ^ >0 0\ OMnj to Oj t^ -- O 4- Oj Oj vO vO Oj Oj C> 'I-J Kj ^-^ 

3 



480 A Child's History of North Carolina. 



3 
o 



'<----^*-'<'<:-:;^r-' 



'Xi 'X 



3J p 

n 3 
in n 



(-► 
O 
3 






. 5j - <*^ "1 j: 3 



t/: -I ?C 



-. „. 1 f- 



n O 
rr 3 



2. 
s3* 



=■"< 



X ^- 'X X ;:;:! 1?^ j;c W 2 

^ E: 3 o o o lu 

-. S =: -5= 2.-3 

v; 3 o "^ ^ = ^ 

C-3 



O P 

?r 3 ;; 



t/^ 3 



p 



p &j 



3 g <r; 

"^ P o 



rN 



^3-3-^'^'*^'-'rs--^M 



ft) -• 
^ 3 



P < 

3 n 
n "1 









5q 



=^^ ^ ^^. 



^^P % 
3133 

n> QTQ 

o 

3 



O 

3- 
3 



f5 "ZZ 



Vcte 

Lord 

Matt 

(irifi 

lohn 

Old 

John 

John 

Surr 

Davi' 



-1 




^^ X :i3- -^ 

X X n X ■" '-- 5- V- 


:§' 


t- 


■ 3 ^3 r-- ^^ '^' — 
X7Q fi ;r- ~ ^ ^^T.c 







^ 





3'0. ^ i->-. P 3* "^ 


p 


»3j 


- 3 P 


3 




-y 3 


n 





a 

H 

W 


-I p =^ 5:3 ^;?S 2 

^ rr 3 r 3 3 "^v JL. 3 3 


CO 

1 
n 


iberton 

Itvvorth 

sbury 

ncrfordtc 

ton 

rinburg 

.•niarle 

bury 

ison 

son City 


X 


P 




d 
ft 



oj c/t t/i ^ ^ ^ \o ^ ^ 00 4- t^ cr ^ ^ :£ -t- o oc^ '-^< 



00 00 3 

'VI C\ ^•. 

N 



t^ '^ 00 o 01 c^ ►- o cij vo '-^ -^^Jp .^ p .^y .^pc ;-j pv 

^J r^j C^ 00 vC C/i O^ O t\j t^ ^J — ' ^ O O '-n O Cn 00 X INJ J- 

Ino 00 ^C t^ 00 CN rs^ C> ^ '-n ^' O — ' ^ '-^ ^ ^ «^ f^ '-^ — ' '^ 



o 

-"^3" 



